Food Assistance

IMPORTANT NOTICE: In response to the partial federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has asked states to issue February’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits early — by Jan. 20th — which has the potential to affect 220,000 Colorado families.

The early issuance of benefits also means that Colorado SNAP recipients whose eligibility is due for re-certification at the end of January need to submit required documents as required immediately in order to receive food benefits for February. It is imperative that SNAP recipients whose food assistance eligibility is up for redetermination are processed no later than noon on Jan. 15th to ensure they receive February benefits on the expedited time frame.

To be clear, the early release of benefits is not additional funding. This effort is intended to get February benefits to eligible recipients before current funding for the program lapses as a result of the partial federal government funding. If the federal government shutdown continues, benefits may not be available after February.