By Steven Allen Adams for The Intelligencer
CHARLESTON — With the federal government shutdown showing no signs of ending in the short-term, the effects are now being felt by West Virginia’s most vulnerable populations.
In a Facebook post Saturday, the West Virginia Department of Human Services said the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits set to begin after Oct. 16 would be delayed and SNAP benefits for November could also face delays.
“Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) has directed the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) and other state SNAP agencies to delay the issuance of October 2025 SNAP benefits approved on or after October 16, 2025,” according to the statement.
“Additionally, we have been notified that it is very likely the federal government shutdown will delay November SNAP benefits for all recipients if Congress does not take action to reopen the government in the coming days,” the statement continued. “We understand that this news may raise concerns, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this federal issue. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.”