New Hampshire Fills Gap in SNAP Funding Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

Strategic Insights -

As the federal government shutdown continues with no signs of resolution, thousands of New Hampshire residents face a halt in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. In response, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has approved a plan to allocate $2 million from the Medicaid Enhancement Tax to fund food assistance and partner with the New Hampshire Food Bank to create mobile food pantries throughout the state. The initiative will provide temporary relief to approximately 75,000 enrolled in SNAP, with around 47,000 being adults and 25,000 children.

Key Takeaways:

  • The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has approved a plan to reallocate $2 million from the Medicaid Enhancement Tax to fund food assistance.
  • The state will partner with the New Hampshire Food Bank to create a series of mobile food pantries, operating up to 20 locations twice a week for the next five weeks, with the option to extend the contract by one week eight times if necessary.
  • The plan aims to alleviate the loss of SNAP benefits, which will be halted on Saturday, affecting around 75,000 enrolled individuals in New Hampshire.
  • Approximately 47,000 of those enrolled are adults, and 25,000 are children.
  • The plan is a temporary solution, with a contract lasting until Dec. 5 or the end of the shutdown, whichever comes first.
  • Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver recognized that the $2 million plan falls short of the typical $12.6 million monthly funding from the federal government for SNAP in New Hampshire.

Statistics:

  • $2 million: The amount reallocated from the Medicaid Enhancement Tax to fund food assistance.
  • 20: The maximum number of mobile food pantry locations that will operate twice a week for the next five weeks.
  • 75,000: The approximate number of individuals enrolled in SNAP in New Hampshire.
  • 47,000: The number of adult participants in SNAP in New Hampshire.
  • 25,000: The number of child participants in SNAP in New Hampshire.
  • $12.6 million: The typical monthly funding for SNAP in New Hampshire from the federal government.

Sources:

  • The New Hampshire Bulletin
  • New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
  • New Hampshire Food Bank
  • Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee
  • Executive Council