The federal government came to a standstill on October 1, when Democrat and Republican members of Congress failed to pass funding legislation. The ongoing government shutdown led to Wisconsin officials announcing that the November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan, or SNAP, benefits would be delayed until the government reopens. 

“We do not know if the delay will last 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or (heaven forbid) longer,” wrote Matt Stienstra, Feeding America’s Wisconsin Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement, in an email to stakeholders. 

There is uncertainty on how long the shutdown will last and its implications for recipients’ November benefits, but SNAP recipients in Door County at the very least will not be receiving their November benefits at the usual time, according to Joe Krebsbach, Door County Health and Human Services director. In Wisconsin, FoodShare benefits are issued between the 2nd and 15th of every month. 

Called FoodShare in Wisconsin, SNAP benefits provide food for about 700,000 people in the state. In Door County, 1,190 individuals in 1,083 households receive FoodShare, totalling about  $300,000 in benefits that won’t get paid out, Krebsbach said. That money then won’t go to area businesses that provide food, either, he added.

“The impact is going to be pretty significant for those who need and use the benefit,” he said. “I find it troubling. I find it super troubling.” 

Among individual recipients in Door County, 36 percent are children under age 18, and 16 percent are senior citizens over age 65. Of the households receiving benefits, 72 percent have at least one person working. 

FoodShare benefits are put on a debit-style card that all SNAP beneficiaries receive. Though FoodShare cards should continue to work, November benefits will not be loaded onto those cards.

Individuals can still apply for benefits. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is processing and approving applications and benefits will be backdated to the date of filing, according to Wisconsin law.

Stienstra advised that FoodShare benefit recipients keep their contact information up-to-date and check MyACCESS and the DHS FoodShare News page for updates. 

BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, SeniorCare and WIC benefits are not affected by the shutdown and will remain in operation.

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Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include additional information about the number of Door County residents who receive FoodShare benefits and comments from Door County Health and Human Services Department director Joe Krebsbach.