Virginia moved decisively this week to stabilize food access for hundreds of thousands of families caught in the middle of the longest federal government shutdown history.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) announced late Sunday that the state would pause its Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program, following new guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The agency told states to begin issuing only partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments after the Trump administration demanded that they “undo” full benefits already distributed.
Youngkin said the Commonwealth “will ensure full compliance with federal requirements,” while making sure no Virginian goes without food.
Virginia will distribute 65% of November’s SNAP benefits to more than 850,000 residents by Thursday, on top of the 25% already paid through VENA.
Janet V. Kelly, the state’s secretary of Health and Human Resources, called the state’s actions “swift and necessary to deliver meaningful help to the most vulnerable Virginians.”
The federal tug-of-war over food aid has upended lives in every state.
Late Sunday, the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to block a lower court ruling that required the administration to release $4 billion in food assistance to 42 million Americans. But Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily froze that decision while the appeal continues, creating more confusion about whether and when families will get full benefits.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is holding firm on its demand that states reverse their earlier work. A memo from Agriculture Department official Patrick Penn told states they must “immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025,” threatening penalties for those that do not comply.
The directive blindsided many state officials.
Some, like Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D), said they would not walk back benefits already sent.
“The president should not be directing states to take food out of the mouths of the hungry,” Mills said in a statement Monday, calling President Donald Trump’s order “callous and cruel.”
D.C., National Leaders Find Local Ways to Combat Hunger
In Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) earlier decision to use local funds to ensure November SNAP and WIC payments reached residents is being watched closely by other jurisdictions.
Bowser’s move, announced last week, ensured that approximately 141,000 D.C. residents — about 85,000 households — did not lose food assistance, at an estimated local cost of $29 million.
As federal reversals continue, Bowser’s administration has not yet said whether additional local funds will be needed.
While Virginia and D.C. look for ways to shield their residents, other states are looking at various avenues. For instance, Delaware is leaning on community action. The state partnered with r4 Technologies, the YMCA, and local lawmakers to distribute 10,000 pounds of food to residents who depend on SNAP benefits.
For millions across the country, food insecurity is deepening by the day. One in eight Americans relies on SNAP, and many have gone without aid since the shutdown began more than six weeks ago.
As the legal battles play out, the administration continues to blame Congress for failing to end the shutdown. But governors like Youngkin and Mills say the crisis was made worse by the administration’s shifting orders and threats to penalize states acting to feed their residents.
“President Trump should be focusing on reopening the government he controls,” Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) said, “instead of repeatedly fighting to take away food from American families.”