Virginia residents receiving SNAP benefits are facing delays after the USDA announced that November payments are paused because of the federal government shutdown that began on October 1.

If you already have funds loaded onto your EBT card, you can continue to use them at grocery stores. However, no new November benefits will be distributed across the country until federal approval is granted.

This pause is not a local or state decision and cannot be appealed.

Officials emphasize they will provide updates as soon as more information is available. If you need immediate food assistance, local resources such as 211 Virginia, THRIVE Peninsula, and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank are available to help.