USDA resumes SNAP funding, thousands of Washington residents to see relief

The U. S. Department of Agriculture will resume funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by the end of Friday, following a federal judge's order mandating full payments. Governor Bob Ferguson confirmed that hundreds of thousands of Washington residents have started receiving their food assistance payments. This development comes amid the longest government shutdown in U.

S. history, which has created uncertainty regarding the future of vital food assistance programs. The Washington state Department of Health announced that benefits from the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC) will remain available through early December. Local officials stress the importance of these benefits in supporting families during challenging times. The SNAP program serves as a critical safety net for many, and its resumption is expected to alleviate food insecurity in the region.

The ongoing government shutdown has raised significant concerns about the reliability of federal assistance programs. As the deadline approaches, the swift action by the USDA highlights the urgency of providing support to vulnerable households.