November SNAP Benefits Issued
The federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, temporarily prevented the U.S. Department of Agriculture from authorizing November SNAP benefit issuance nationwide. This issue has been resolved, and all benefits are now accessible to Virginia households. All November SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits have been issued and are now available for use as of Saturday, November 15, 2025.
December benefits are expected to return to the normal issuance schedule (on the 1st, 4th, or 7th day of the month). With the end of the federal shutdown, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) does not anticipate any further disruptions to SNAP benefits in 2025.
Virginia's Emergency Response
In response, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to help Virginia access resources to support residents during this crisis. Eligible households received weekly Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) allotments to help ensure continued access to food assistance.
VENA Benefits Paused
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that, following federal notification that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be paid the week of November 9, Virginia will pause the issuance of Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) benefits to ensure full compliance with federal requirements.
What You Need to Know
November SNAP Issuance
As of Saturday, November 15, 2025, all November SNAP benefits have been issued and are now available for use.
December benefits are expected to return to the normal issuance schedule (on the 1st, 4th, or 7th day of the month). With the end of the federal shutdown, VDSS does not anticipate any further disruptions to SNAP benefits in 2025.
Local Resources and Information
For a comprehensive list of community resources available in Newport News, including food assistance, utility assistance, housing support, and more, please visit our Community Resources page.
Tax Deadline Extension for Federal Workers Affected by the Government Shutdown
The Newport News Treasurer’s Office is offering a one-time extension for taxes due on December 5, 2025 for federal employees impacted by the recent government shutdown.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Tax accounts must be current.
- Applicants must provide written proof of furlough status or documentation showing financial hardship caused by the shutdown.
How to Apply: Contact the Treasurer’s Office by December 5, 2025 to request the extension. Phone: (757) 926-8731 Email: treasurer@nnva.gov
NNWW Temporarily Suspends Water Shut Offs
During the recent federal shutdown, Newport News Waterworks (NNWW) temporarily paused service disconnections to support customers who were unexpectedly impacted. With the federal government now fully reopened, NNWW will resume service disconnections for non-payment, beginning December 1.
Temporary Eviction/Foreclosure Protections
Under Virginia Code § 44-209, federal employees, federal contractors, and employees of federal contractors who lose pay due to a government shutdown may qualify for a 60-day delay in eviction or foreclosure proceedings.
Who Qualifies
You may be eligible if you experience a loss of pay during a federal government shutdown. This protection applies to:
- Tenants and homeowners directly affected by a loss of pay
- Landlords whose tenants are furloughed and unable to pay rent
How to Qualify
You must provide written proof of your furlough or loss of pay, such as:
- A federal pay stub showing $0 earnings during the shutdown period
- A furlough or essential employee status letter from your federal agency
- A letter from your contracting company confirming loss of pay due to the shutdown
Virginia Fresh Match Launching Harvest Special
Virginia Fresh Match is launching a Harvest Special to help with increased need during the holiday season. Even if your SNAP balance is $0, you can get an extra $20 in tokens for FREE fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets, all November long!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Can I still use my current SNAP benefits?
A: Yes, if you currently have SNAP benefits on your EBT card, you can continue to use them to purchase food.
Q: When will I receive my November SNAP benefits?
A: Federal SNAP benefits are expected to be issued no later than Thursday, November 13, 2025 for households who were approved on or before October 29, 2025. November SNAP benefit issuance for households authorized after October 29 2025 are expected to be distributed the week following.
Q: How much will I receive in November?
A: If you were already receiving SNAP as of October 29 (VENA household): You received 65% of your monthly allotment on November 13 You'll receive the remaining 35% on November 18 If you're newly approved for SNAP (applied after October 29): You'll receive 100% of your monthly allotment on November 15
Q: Is this just happening in Virginia?
A: No, this is a nationwide issue impacting all SNAP households across the country.
Q: Can I appeal this or file a complaint?
A: Unfortunately, this situation cannot be appealed. It's a result of the federal government shutdown and is beyond the state and local agencies' control.
Q: When will you have more information?
A: Newport News Human Services is monitoring the situation closely and is releasing information as we receive it.
Q: What can I do if I run out of food?
A: There are community resources that can help.
Q: I heard the Governor declared a state of emergency. Does that mean I'll get my benefits?
A: The governor has declared a state of emergency to help cover SNAP benefits for Virginians. Current SNAP recipients (as of 10/29/2025) will receive a weekly comparable state-supported emergency food assistance payment based upon existing eligibility for the SNAP program.
Q: Do I need to reapply or do anything?
A: No. If you're currently receiving SNAP (as of 10/29/2025), you'll automatically receive the emergency benefits on your existing EBT card.
Q: What if I submitted my verification paperwork after October 29, 2025? A: If the paperwork needed to verify your case was received after the cutoff date of October 29, 2025, you will not receive VENA benefits.
Q: What is the cutoff date for VENA benefits? A: The cutoff date is October 29, 2025. Your case must have been approved by this date to receive VENA benefits.
Q: How much will I receive in VENA benefits?
A: Eligible households will receive a weekly emergency allotment equal to 25% of their approved monthly SNAP benefit. For example, if your household receives $400 per month in SNAP, you will receive $100 per week in emergency assistance.
Q: How will I receive the VENA benefits?
A: The emergency funds will be loaded directly onto your existing EBT card, the same card you use for your regular SNAP benefits.
Q: How often will VENA benefits be issued?
A: VENA benefits will be issued weekly, not monthly, in hopes the federal shutdown will end soon. For example: If a household normally receives $200 for a monthly benefit, a $50 benefit will be issued on a weekly basis. Recipients and households should adjust to this new schedule and plan accordingly.
Q: What days of the month will VENA benefits be issued?
Under normal issuance, SNAP households receive their monthly SNAP benefits at one time on the 1st, 4th or 7th day of the month based upon the first letter of their last name. VENA will be issued on a weekly basis on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday (according to the existing staggered issuance schedule).
Q: How long will the VENA benefits last?
A: The Governor has publicly stated the effort should continue at least through November. This state-supported effort, distinct from SNAP, uses Virginia’s budget surplus to prevent disruptions in food access and ensures Virginia’s families in need remain supported during the federal shutdown. However, this is a stopgap solution: once federal funds for SNAP are authorized and released, VENA assistance effort will end, and SNAP benefits will be fully restored.
Q: How is this emergency initiative different than the existing SNAP program?
A: SNAP benefits are funded entirely by the federal government. VENA is a state-run emergency relief effort. To recipients and retailers, this should operate similarly to how SNAP beneficiary households receive their monthly benefit. However, the backend coordination is complex and challenging to set up.
Q: What happened to VENA benefits?
A: Virginia has paused the issuance of VENA benefits to ensure full compliance with federal requirements now that federal SNAP benefits are being issued.
Q: Why did I only receive part of my benefits on November 13?
A: If you were an existing SNAP recipient, your November 13 payment represented 65% of your total allotment. This partial payment was calculated based on net income considerations. The remaining 35% will be automatically issued on November 18.
Q: Do I need to do anything to receive my remaining benefits?
A: No action is required. If you received 65% of your benefits on November 13, the remaining 35% will be automatically deposited to your EBT card on November 18.
Q: I'm a new applicant. Will I receive my full benefits at once?
A: Yes. If you were approved for SNAP after October 29, you'll receive 100% of your monthly allotment in a single payment on November 15.
Contact Us
Have questions or need additional information about the federal shutdown and SNAP benefits?
For questions or concerns related to the federal shutdown impact on your SNAP benefits that have not been addressed in the information above, contact City of Newport News Department of Human Services.
Last updated: November 18, 2025