Food Assistance Halts
As of today, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have stopped. More than three million students rely on this support. Even if Congress reaches a deal soon, distribution delays are expected as states work to restart programs.
Virginia Responds with VENA
- Purpose: VENA ensures that those who are truly eligible continue receiving benefits and that program integrity is upheld. These reforms also require VENA recipients to meet the same eligibility standards that apply to SNAP recipients.
- Funding: Financed through the Commonwealth’s emergency and surplus funds, authorized under the Governor’s state of emergency declaration.
- Implementation: Current SNAP recipients (as of October 29, 2025) will automatically receive weekly VENA benefits through their existing EBT cards. A household that normally receives $200 monthly will instead receive $50 weekly.
- Schedule: If benefits normally post on the 1st → VENA issued each Monday; if on the 4th → each Wednesday; if on the 7th → each Friday.
- Duration: The Governor has indicated VENA will continue at least through November while the shutdown persists. Once federal funds resume, SNAP will again operate normally.
For updates and FAQs, visit the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS): https://dss.virginia.gov/snapfacts/
Veterans’ Benefits Disrupted
More than 75,000 college and trade-school students are waiting on backlogged dependent and survivor payments due to a software glitch. The technicians who could fix the issue are furloughed, and GI Bill hotlines remain closed.