There are nearly 29,000 households with over 56,000 individuals in Fairfax County who receive food purchasing assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, which provides about $9.9 million in benefits to our residents each month. As the federal shutdown continues, traditional SNAP benefits may be suspended. Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a State of Emergency to address the lapse in SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Filling the Gap: About VENA
The State has created an emergency food assistance program called Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA). VENA will provide emergency food assistance to eligible SNAP households while the federal shutdown continues in November.
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is implementing VENA directly, without local Fairfax County involvement. Emergency food assistance under VENA will be added to existing SNAP EBT cards starting Nov. 3.
VENA benefits will be paid on a weekly basis, instead of monthly, for the month of November with the hope the federal government reopens during this time.
VDSS has directed that people not eligible for SNAP before October 29 will not be able to participate in VENA. While SNAP applications can be received during the shutdown, SNAP benefits cannot be issued until the federal government reopens.
Tips for SNAP Participants
- Check your EBT card balance before you shop:
- Download the ConnectEBT app for free from Apple or Google app stores and check your balance.
- Visit ConnectEBT and select Virginia EBT from the dropdown box.
- Swipe your card at the Point-of-Sale device in store, enter your PIN, and do a balance inquiry.
- Call 1-866-281-2448, enter the 16 digit number on your card, and hear the balance inquiry.
- Protect your benefits from fraud by locking your card after each purchase with the ConnectEBT app. Download the app for free from Apple and Google app stores.
- Do not give your EBT card, card number, password, or PIN to anyone not authorized to use your card.
Resources are Available
In the event of canceled or delayed payments, we recognize this may cause significant challenges for many of our SNAP households. Fairfax County is working on solutions that may be able to help fill the gap. In the meantime, resources are available if you need food or other financial assistance now (or at any other time):
- Basic Needs Assistance (CSP): Call 703-222-0880 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Emergency Food Access Map
- Community members who would like to support individuals in need can donate to local food banks — find donation locations and ways to help on our Emergency Food Access Map.
- Community members who would like to support individuals in need can donate to local food banks — find donation locations and ways to help on our Emergency Food Access Map.
Other Assistance Programs
As of now, other public assistance programs such as Child Care Assistance and Referral (CCAR) and Medical Assistance (Medicaid) are not affected. We do not have updated guidance from the state about impacts to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
Check for Updates
We will keep you updated as things evolve. Check our SNAP updates page to learn more. For other impacts and information about the federal shutdown, visit our Federal Government Resource Hub.
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