Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency allowing the use of state funds to issue Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) benefits to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers in November if the federal government shutdown is not resolved by November 1, 2025. Under VENA, 25% of a customer's monthly benefit will be issued on a weekly basis, so that in the event the shutdown ends sometime during November, normal distributions from the federal government will resume. Starting Monday, November 3, the following will take effect for SNAP customers:

• Customers who receive their benefits on the 1st of the month will receive weekly VENA benefits on Mondays.
• Customers who receive their benefits on the 4th of the month will receive weekly VENA benefits on Wednesdays.
• Customers who receive their benefits on the 7th of the month will receive weekly VENA benefits on Fridays.

For full information and answers to pertinent questions visit: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/vena/

Resource guide

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