DEPARTMENT: Employment and Economic Assistance
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Federal Shutdown Impacts on Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on the federal shutdown impacts on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).
SUMMARY
Timeline
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) of insufficient funds to pay November SNAP benefits if the federal shutdown continued. DCYF shared this information with Dakota County midday on October 14, with the original guidance that benefits could no longer be processed by end of the day. This processing deadline was subsequently pushed out to October 15, and then later to October 31. DCYF sent text and email notifications to SNAP recipients on October 21 and began a media campaign to inform the community.
Impact on Residents
More than 11,700 Dakota County households (22,000 individuals) will be impacted by the pause in SNAP benefits. To date, neither Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) cash benefits nor MFIP-funded Special Diets are impacted.
Staff Response
Employment and Economic Assistance (E&EA) staff have prioritized SNAP and MFIP processing and mobilized a significant staffing effort to maximize our case processing within the given deadlines. The EEA team dispositioned more than 1,500 SNAP applications and renewals prior to the deadline so that at least October benefits were processed and sent to recipients. Staff have prepared and distributed resources capturing food supports in our community to share with walk-in clients, sent out over social media, and put on the County website.
Community Response
Governor Walz announced $5.5M in new funding for Minnesota food shelves. Many local community partners are standing up increased access to food drives, pick-up events, and community meals.
Incident Command Structure
An incident command structure was established on October 17, to harness efforts and the response of many departments, including E&EA, Public Health, Social Services, Communications, and Risk Management. The group has been coordinating food resources, sharing community responses, and facilitating messaging to residents.
OUTCOMES
• Provide timely and culturally informed communication to staff, partner organizations, affected communities, and the public.
• Determine the resources available to residents to supplement SNAP & MFIP.
• Maintain situational awareness around other federal and state assistance programs.
• Ensure response activities are coordinated with community partners and other Minnesota state assistance programs.
• Establish clear and consistent documentation, data collection, and reporting procedures for the emergency response.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Mark Jacobs
Author: Tiffinie Miller