Virginia’s Emergency Nutrition Assistance Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2025

Latest News – Virginia’s Emergency Nutrition Assistance Program

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency allowing the use of state funds to issue Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) benefits to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers in November if the federal government shutdown is not resolved by November 1, 2025. Under VENA, 25% of a customer’s monthly benefit will be issued on a weekly basis, so that in the event the shutdown ends sometime during November, normal distributions from the federal government will resume. Starting Monday, November 3, the following will take effect for SNAP customers:

• Customers who receive their benefits on the 1st of the month will receive weekly VENA benefits on Mondays.
• Customers who receive their benefits on the 4th of the month will receive weekly VENA benefits on Wednesdays.
• Customers who receive their benefits on the 7th of the month will receive weekly VENA benefits on Fridays.

Virginia is the first state in the nation to use state funds to deliver food assistance to SNAP customers. The state of emergency allows the Governor to use these funds to protect the health, welfare, and safety of Virginians.

We recognize the serious impact this government shutdown has had on Virginians who rely on this program.

We will continue to share updates as information becomes available and remain committed to supporting Virginians.

Frequently Asked Questions

SHUTDOWN

Q. How does the federal government shutdown affect my Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits?
A. Due to the federal government shutdown, federally funded SNAP benefits will not be available after October 31, 2025, until the federal government reopens.

In response to the prolonged federal government shutdown, Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency, allowing the use of state funds to issue Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) to Virginia residents who currently receive SNAP benefits. This state-funded initiative will begin on Monday, November 3, 2025.

Q. Does the federal government shutdown impact the Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) my family received?
A. No, the federal government shutdown does not impact the use of SUN Bucks benefits on EBT or SUN Bucks cards. Families have 122 days from the date of issuance to use any SUN Bucks benefits.

Q. Will I receive November 2025 SNAP benefits if the federal government shutdown continues beyond October?
A. SNAP benefits will not be issued until the federal government reopens. However, VENA benefits will be paid on a weekly basis for the month of November with the hope the federal government reopens during this time.

Q. Will my EBT card work during the federal government shutdown?
A. Yes, EBT cards should work as normal.

VENA

Q. How will the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) effort work?
A. Current SNAP recipients (as of 10/29/2025) will receive a weekly comparable state-supported food assistance payment based upon their existing eligibility for the SNAP program. VENA benefits will be issued via the existing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card that SNAP recipients currently hold.

Q. How often will benefits be issued?
A. VENA benefits will be issued weekly, not monthly, in hopes the federal shutdown will end soon. For example: If a household normally receives $200 for a monthly benefit, a $50 benefit will be issued on a weekly basis. Recipients and households will need to adjust to this new schedule and plan accordingly.

Q. What days of the month will benefits be issued?
A. Under normal issuance, SNAP households receive their monthly SNAP benefits at one time on the 1st, 4th, or 7th day of the month based upon the last number of their case ID. VENA will be issued on a weekly basis on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, (according to the existing staggered issuance schedule).

For example, if:

• A household that normally receives SNAP benefits on the 1st of the month will receive weekly VENA benefits on Mondays.
• A household that normally receives SNAP benefits on the 4th of the month will receive weekly VENA benefits on Wednesdays.
• A household that normally receives SNAP benefits on the 7th of the month will receive weekly VENA benefits weekly on Fridays.

Q. Where are the funds coming from?
A. The State of Emergency authorizes Governor Youngkin to expend emergency funds under sum sufficient authority to protect the health, welfare, and safety of Virginians. Due to Virginia’s prudent fiscal management, we have available budget surplus to reduce disruptions in food access and continue supporting Virginia’s families in need during the federal shutdown.

Q. How is this emergency initiative different than the existing SNAP program?
A. SNAP benefits are funded entirely by the federal government, while VENA is a state-administered emergency relief effort. To recipients and retailers, it functions much like the SNAP program. Behind the scenes, however, the back-end coordination is complex and challenging to implement.

Q. How long will VENA last?
A. The Governor has stated that this effort should continue through November. VENA is a state-supported effort, distinct from SNAP, and uses Virginia’s budget surplus to prevent disruptions in food access to ensure Virginia’s families in need remain supported during the federal shutdown.

SNAP

Q. Can I still apply for SNAP during the shutdown? Will I receive VENA funds if I apply for SNAP?
A. Due to system limitations, VENA cannot be provided to individuals who did not receive SNAP benefits in October 2025. Households in need of nutritional assistance may apply for SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown in person at your local department of social services, by mail, or online at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/. Please note that you may experience longer wait times at our call centers and offices.

While SNAP applications can be received during the shutdown, SNAP benefits cannot be issued until the federal government reopens. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as our team works to provide support as we navigate these recent changes. Please see below for food bank assistance information and stay tuned for further potential assistance for new applications.

Q. What if I have a recertification, paperwork due, or need to report a change in circumstances during the government shutdown?
A. Continue to submit all required documents. SNAP households must continue to meet program requirements during the federal government shutdown, including reporting required changes and completing renewals on time.

FOOD BANKS & OTHER RESOURCES

Q. Where can I get information on food bank and food pantry locations in the Commonwealth?
A. If you need food resources during the government shutdown, we encourage you to reach out to your local food banks or community agencies in your area (Charlottesville Food Pantry and Blue Ridge Area Food Bank for Charlottesville area residents). To find these resources, visit https://vafoodbanks.org. You can also contact 211 Virginia by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-230-6977, or texting CONNECT to 247211. For hearing impaired services, dial 7-1-1, then 1-800-230-6977.

GENERAL

Q. Where can I continue to receive updates?
A. Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will continue to provide updates on the federal government shutdown and its impact on SNAP recipients as we information becomes available.

Updates will be shared through the City of Charlottesville’s official channels on NewsFlash, Facebook, and Instagram and VDSS social media (Facebook, X, and Instagram).

Media Contact
Afton Schneider
Director of Communications & Public Engagement
City of Charlottesville
434-996-0331
schneidera@charlottesville.gov