Ramsey County warns SNAP benefits could stop Nov. 1 amid federal shutdown; county processing continues

Ramsey County officials told the Board of Commissioners on Oct. 21 that the federal government shutdown risks interrupting food‑assistance payments and could prevent the county from issuing November SNAP benefits.

Deputy Chief of Staff Andrew Greenlee said USDA notified Minnesota that funding for SNAP is running out, and that DCYF must issue a 10‑day notice to recipients if benefits cannot be issued. Greenlee said county leaders are meeting daily with state and federal partners and are processing as many renewals and applications as possible before the deadline.

The county said it can accept and process applications and renewals administratively but — based on guidance received as of the briefing — cannot approve or disburse November benefits if federal funding is exhausted. "There is a requirement that the state provide a 10‑day notice about changes to benefits," Greenlee said. "DCYF has till 11:59 tonight to issue that notice."

Commissioners asked whether recipients would be disenrolled or required to reapply after funding resumes. County staff said the immediate effect is an inability to approve and issue benefits for November; precise post‑shutdown procedures for reissuing benefits were not specified at the meeting.

Commissioners also pressed staff on related programs. County staff said USDA funding would affect SNAP and the MFIP food benefit and that the state was working to prevent interruption of MFIP cash assistance, but that was still uncertain at the time of the briefing.

Board members and commissioners emphasized the downstream effect on food shelves and nonprofit partners, urging residents to support community food providers and noting that county and nonprofit systems are "interdependent" in managing spikes in need.

The county said it will continue daily coordination with DCYF and state partners and will share updates with the board and the public as information becomes available.