DENVER (KDVR) — The back-and-forth on SNAP and other food benefit programs has been constant for the past few weeks, with news first coming that the funds could lapse in mid-October.
However, on Friday, news broke that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will release the full November funds to millions of Americans.
The news came even as President Donald Trump’s administration asked a federal appeals court to block a judge’s order, then escalated the request to the U.S. Supreme Court when the appeals court refused, for the full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to be disbursed to roughly 42 million Americans, including 28 million children. Of that population, about 620,000 are Coloradans, and roughly half are children.
The Colorado Department of Human Services said it will submit a request to its SNAP payment vendor on Friday so beneficiaries can receive full November payments.
“The availability of full funds will be a relief to the thousands of Coloradans who have been waiting for their November food assistance payments. SNAP is an essential program to ensure every individual has access to healthy food, and no family or child should have to go hungry because of a government shutdown,” CDHS Executive Director Michelle Barnes said in a release.
The agency also noted that the Food and Nutrition Service announced Friday that it has begun working to enable full payments, and that CDHS will work with its vendor to start loading full payments onto Electronic Benefit Transfer cards immediately.
“SNAP participants will likely begin to see payments on their EBT cards as early as Saturday, November 8. All SNAP participants can expect their full payments to be available over the next few days,” CDHS said.
The agency noted that the situation remains fluid, and new court opinions or federal government guidance could still impact November benefits.
“We are moving fast to make sure Coloradans aren’t going hungry. My administration and Colorado Department of Human Services will continue working to ensure SNAP food assistance is distributed as soon as possible so every household can stay healthy and nourished,” said Governor Jared Polis in a CDHS release.
Officials share food assistance resources, scam warnings
The state has been directing families and individuals to reach out to local food banks or community agencies. Resources can be found by contacting Colorado 211 by dialing 211 or 866-760-6489, or online at 211colorado.org.
FOX31 has also gathered some details of food banks across the metro that are both offering help and asking for help to keep the Denver area fed. That list can be found here.
There are also resources available at feedingcolorado.org/find-food or info@feedingcolorado.org.
The governor’s office also directed individuals to contact their local county human services office for additional resources. The governor’s office is also encouraging Coloradans to reach out and support local food banks and community organizations, or make a donation at feedingcolorado.org/donate. It’s important to note that while canned food donations are appreciated, cash donations can go further, as food banks and community organizations have much greater purchasing power and can stretch a dollar further.
CDHS also reminded recipients to protect themselves from potential fraud.
- When not using your EBT card, CDHS recommends freezing it to stop new purchases through the ebtEDGE mobile app or Cardholder Portal
- Change your PIN often
- Avoid simple PINs
- Don’t share your PIN or card number
- Report suspicious activity immediately
CDHS said it is continuing to monitor the situation and will share information as it becomes available.
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