Virginia Announces Alternative Food Stamp Program as SNAP Deadline Looms

Virginia is launching a state food stamp program as the federal program, known as SNAP, faces a pause unless Congress ends the government shutdown and approves new funding. The Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance program will provide food aid to SNAP recipients by placing money on the same electronic benefit transfer card they typically use to receive federal benefits, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office said in an Oct. 28 statement. The state benefits will be issued weekly rather than monthly “in hopes the federal shutdown will end soon,” the office stated. As an example, a family that usually receives $200 a month from SNAP should expect to receive $50 each week through the Virginia program....