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Petersburg social services briefs council on SNAP alternatives as federal shutdown continues
Summary
Virginia’s state emergency program (VENA) is issuing weekly food benefits to October SNAP recipients while the federal shutdown persists, but city staff warned that prolonged federal closure could put reimbursements at risk. Petersburg staff said local SNAP recipients should receive weekly allotments and officials discussed creating a city food-
City social services staff briefed the Petersburg City Council on Nov. 5, 2025, about how federal funding disruptions are affecting SNAP (food stamp) benefits and local reimbursement streams, and about steps the city is taking to reduce immediate impacts on residents.
Bill (social services staff) told council that Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state emergency and the state created the Virginia Emergency Nutritional Assistance Program (VENA) to issue weekly benefits to current SNAP recipients while federal funding was paused. "The benefit would be delivered on a weekly basis," Bill said, describing the state's intent to protect general fund revenue while ensuring recipients receive food assistance.
What the state action means: Under the VENA weekly issuance, Virginia issued partial weekly payments…
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