DENVER (KDVR) — As the federal government continues to push back on releasing SNAP benefits, a Colorado county is declaring the situation an emergency disaster that affects tens of thousands of its residents.
Jefferson County on Saturday issued an order declaring an emergency disaster because of the “imminent and long-lasting health and economic effects taking hold in our county.” This came after the Supreme Court on Friday temporarily halted an order to release full funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments amid the federal government shutdown.
Even after Friday’s order, SNAP payments are in more turmoil, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Sunday told states that had started sending full payments before the Supreme Court halted them, of which Colorado was included, to “undo” the payments.
About 32,000 Coloradans received payments before the payments stopped. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said the full payments sent to Coloradans have not been reversed, and the state will continue to work on providing the reduced payments still allowed to be sent out.
The situation in Jeffco
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners in a statement called the SNAP pause “cruel,” and said about 38,000 Jefferson County residents rely on SNAP benefits.
“Withholding food from children, the elderly, and other vulnerable community members is cruel. That’s not who we are in Jefferson County,” the commissioners said. “Nobody should go hungry or bear the mental stress of not knowing where their next meal will come from. This is an emergency. We are taking urgent action to help the 38,000 Jeffco residents on SNAP – 13,000 of whom are children.”
The county last week allocated $250,000 to local food banks and is planning an additional round of funds later this week, according to the announcement of the declaration posted on X.
Additionally, several county departments, including Human Services, Public Health, and the Office of Emergency Management with the Sheriff’s Office are working together to “share updates, connect people to resources and coordinate community support.”
The county also advised residents to continue normal steps to keep SNAP benefits in Jeffco with the department of human services so that when funds are eventually released, there aren’t an unnecessary delays.
The state government is also chipping in to assist food banks, approving in late October up to $10 million to assist Coloradans affected by the SNAP pause.
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