The Northlands Rescue Mission in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is preparing for an increase in demand if SNAP benefits are paused in November due to the government shutdown. (Photo courtesy of Northlands Rescue Mission)
By: Michael Achterling and Amy Dalrymple
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota has enough money to keep paying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November if the federal government remains shut down, but the state is unable to load the funds onto people’s electronic payment cards, state officials said Tuesday.
The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services is warning the public that SNAP benefits will be paused Nov. 1 if the shutdown continues past Oct. 31.
Interim Health and Human Services Commissioner Pat Traynor said the state is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, but so far has been unable to find a solution, even if the state provides the funding.
“The cards won’t actually work, even if we have the money as a state, which we do, to backfill,” Traynor said.
More than 57,000 North Dakotans received SNAP benefits in September, totaling nearly $9.9 million for the month. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned last week that SNAP will run out of funds at the end of the month if the government shutdown continues.
People who receive SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, receive the dollars through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card, or EBT card, similar to a debit card. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service uses a third-party vendor to issue those funds, according to Traynor.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong said the infrastructure that exists to implement SNAP is controlled by the federal government, not the state.
“We don’t have access to the infrastructure,” Armstrong said.
USDA did not respond to questions seeking comment on Tuesday.
“Our call is on Congress to get together and solve this quickly,” Traynor said.
In the meantime, Traynor said members of the department have begun reaching out to food pantries to warn them about a potential uptick in people seeking food if the government remains closed.
“We want to make darn sure that they are prepared to address this urgent need on Nov. 1,” Traynor said.
The Great Plains Food Bank is beginning to hear concerns from families who are worried about what will happen if SNAP benefits run out, said spokesperson Darby Njos.
“We’re beginning to prepare for that surge of people who may just need extra assistance as we go into November,” she said.
The food bank also has seen some first-time visitors who are federal workers not getting paid due to the government shutdown, Njos said.
The Great Plains Food Bank is based in Fargo but partners with food banks across the state including the Northlands Rescue Mission in Grand Forks.
The Northlands Rescue Mission began planning Tuesday for increased demand in November, said Elaina Wickman, interim director. The food pantry typically provides 100 food boxes per week, but staff are projecting that may go up to 160 to 200 per week, she said. Staff also are anticipating they may need more turkeys for annual Thanksgiving meals.
The mission plans to put a call out to the community for increased food donations, Wickman said.
“We’re taking it one day at a time,” Wickman said.
North Dakota communities may need to work together in November to make sure food banks across the state remain stocked, Traynor said.
“That would be my call to action: Let’s take care of people out there that are having a difficulty affording food,” Traynor said. “Let’s help our neighbors.”
State officials expect that SNAP benefits issued before Nov. 1 will still be available to recipients, Traynor said. The department is continuing to accept and process SNAP applications and renewals. The department is awaiting guidance about whether recipients would be reimbursed for SNAP benefits not issued due to a shutdown.
For updates on North Dakota SNAP benefits, visit hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp or contact the department’s customer support center at 1-866-614-6005.
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