Colorado families will lose federally funded food assistance Nov. 1 if the government shutdown persists, Gov. Jared Polis warned Friday.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, relies on $120 million from the federal government every month to feed nearly 615,000 Coloradans, according to Polis’ office. Half the beneficiaries are children. That money has been frozen during the federal government shutdown, and the state cannot put money on the benefit cards until that ends.
Colorado food banks sound alarm over rising need amid federal cuts to nutrition assistance
“Our state is looking at all options for helping feed families in need and is currently having conversations about the negative impacts this will create and how to support people should the federal government not reopen,” Polis said in a statement. “Itap time for Republicans to do the right thing and lower health care costs, reopen the federal government, and help provide food security to hardworking Coloradans, children, and people across the country.”
Polis’ office recommended that families and individuals who need help with food contact their local food banks and community agencies. They can find more information by calling Colorado 211 or going to .
Food banks and related support organizations have warned they’re already seeing record-breaking need from their communities while also dealing with the federal cuts.
Ahead of the shutdown, Colorado lawmakers also approved $7.5 million to pay for food benefits, or WIC, for the month of October. It is unclear what will happen with that program if the shutdown continues into November.
Congress has been in a deadlock since the start of the month as Democrats refuse to sign off on a budget that doesn’t include health insurance subsidies for people who buy plans on the open market.
Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s marketplace, estimates 112,000 Coloradans if the federal subsidy isn’t renewed. The Colorado Department of Insurance that the cost of some plans could more than double, from $11,000 to $27,000, if the subsidies aren’t renewed.
