Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Koochiching County human services warns SNAP/MFIP benefits could be disrupted if federal funding lapses; board accepts 96 winter coats donation
Summary
Human services staff told the county board Oct. 28 that a federal government shutdown could prevent November SNAP and MFIP food benefits from being distributed; the board accepted a donation of 96 winter coats from the Knights of Columbus for local distribution.
County human services staff told the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 28 that if Congress does not pass a continuing resolution, November distribution of SNAP and the food portion of the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) may not occur.
A staff member said October benefits already issued to EBT cards would remain, but distribution of November benefits for SNAP and the MFIP food portion was uncertain if a continuing resolution was not approved. The staff member told the board that the county has averaged roughly $150,000 to $165,000 per month in federal food support flowing through local benefits in recent months, and said any interruption would affect both beneficiaries and local businesses that receive that spending.
"Any benefits that the people currently have on their EBT cards will stay on there," the staff member said, adding that the state Department of Agriculture (which runs SNAP and MFIP food benefits in Minnesota) had not provided certainty on retroactive payments if a lapse were later resolved.
Staff also briefed the board on biannual and annual administrative items: the required biannual service agreement for MFIP and WIP (Work Program) was presented as a statutory requirement and the board approved the agreement. The board approved routine IT and systems support contracts needed for public‑facing and internal systems.
Separately, the board accepted a donation of 96 winter coats from the Knights of Columbus, which human services staff said are distributed to households in need and typically move quickly once released in the community.
Why it matters: disruption to SNAP and MFIP food benefits would have immediate effects on food security for households in Koochiching County and on local retailers that redeem benefits. The county said the governor and state legislature were taking steps to fund food banks while federal uncertainty persists.
Next steps: human services staff will monitor state and federal guidance and return to the board with updates as information becomes available.
