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Council members discuss rapid response as SNAP benefit disruptions loom on Nov. 1

Cleveland City Council · October 28, 2025

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Summary

Council members urged emergency measures to help residents impacted by a federal government shutdown and the expected interruption of SNAP benefits, discussing transfers to food banks, relaxation of reimbursement rules, and rapid-distribution strategies.

Council members used floor time on Oct. 27 to highlight an imminent disruption to SNAP (EBT) benefits caused by the federal government shutdown, pressing for contingency plans to get food to residents beginning Nov. 1. Councilman Richard Starr warned the shutdown would "get real" for many residents, and urged faster use of discretionary funds and transfers to community organizations.

Councilwoman Stephanie House Jones and others pushed for immediate coordination with the mayor’s office and city departments. House Jones specifically asked constituents to call 211 for assistance and said council members had signed a letter to state and federal officials requesting emergency action. Councilman Conwell proposed creating a dedicated food fund, potentially transferring unspent departmental funds into a contingency account for rapid distribution. Council members Polensek and Hairston urged using existing community partners (e.g., Famicos, Amigos) and making it easier for nonprofits to receive or front funds without waiting for reimbursement.

There was no final vote at this meeting to appropriate new dollars; council members agreed to form a project team and meet with administration and relevant departments to craft a contingency plan. Several council members said they were prepared to direct discretionary funds pending law-department and finance-department procedures to allow quicker disbursement.

The discussion emphasized urgency: council members and administration staff were asked to convene a project team to identify legal and financial mechanisms to get food assistance into neighborhoods quickly if SNAP benefits lapse. No emergency appropriation was adopted during the Oct. 27 session.