Human Services staff provided an update on the status of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and local operations during the federal funding interruption.

Janelle, Human Services staff, said regular federal SNAP funding pays benefits but is likely to be withheld until a federal shutdown is resolved. She said a federal court directed the USDA to consider contingency funds—about $5,000,000,000 nationally—and that those contingency funds had not been released yet. “Those contingency funds, they haven't been released yet, but they're working on it,” Janelle said.

Locally, the Human Services office reported 1,930 SNAP cases as of October. The office normally issued $545,636 in September and had about 65 cases pending at the time of the update. Janelle said MFIP cash assistance continues to be issued and that county staff are continuing applications and renewals so benefits can resume quickly when federal funding is restored.

Commissioners asked how long recovery might take once the federal government resumes operations; staff said catching up could take “significant time.” The board praised staff and community volunteers for extra efforts, including a staff-led food drive and a human services Facebook page listing local resources.

No vote or change in county policy was taken; the update was informational.