Virginia Launches State-Funded Emergency Food Assistance Amid Federal Shutdown

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has launched the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program to support residents dependent on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. VENA will provide weekly food assistance payments to SNAP recipients using the same EBT cards, with benefits distributed in thirds starting November 3. The program is funded by Virginia's substantial state budget surplus, with $145 million allocated for November and an additional $1 million set aside to address potential disruptions. Youngkin emphasized the urgency and complexity of implementing this state-level initiative, likening it to "building an airplane while it's taking off," and indicated readiness to sustain VENA as long as the federal shutdown persists. The state also plans to cover benefits for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) if federal payments cease. Virginia's ability to utilize existing federal SNAP infrastructure allows for a smoother transition without issuing new EBT cards to the roughly 800,000 residents relying on the system.