Nearly 32,000 low-income Atlantic County adults and children may not receive their monthly funds for groceries through the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) as a result of the federal government shutdown, according to County Executive Dennis Levinson.
“SNAP benefits are only guaranteed through October 31. This is an unfortunate but preventable crisis,” stated Levinson.
Funding for SNAP is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. Recipients use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards like a debit card to purchase groceries at participating retailers. Funds typically appear on the EBT cards between the first and seventh day of each month.
Both the federal and state government have warned of interruptions to full and on-time benefit payments in November as no federal FY 2026 funds for benefits have been appropriated.
Levinson noted that the Atlantic County Department of Family & Community Development began sharing this news with SNAP customers last week to help them prepare for the potential delay or lack of November benefits. Information was mailed to customers and posted on the county website in addition to sharing the locations of available food banks and food pantries to help fill the void. Residents may visit the Community Food Bank of New Jersey website to submit their zip code for local resources at: cfbnj.org/find-foods-services.
Historically, when the federal government reopens, all federal programs are funded retroactively, but no such assurances have been made to date, according to the state Department of Human Services.
“This is an avoidable situation that could be quickly resolved if Congress could agree to reopen the federal government,” Levinson added.
“Unfortunately, our hands are tied. We do not have the authorization or the ability at the county level to provide funding for these benefits, although we certainly empathize with the impact to some of our most vulnerable residents.”
Levinson said the county would continue to provide updates as they become available on the county website at: atlanticcountynj.gov. Information will also be available on njsnap.gov.
