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SNAP benefits expected through September 2026

An employee stocks papayas at the Price Choice supermarket which participates in the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

MARIETTA — After the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history, lasting 43 days from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, funding is scheduled to return to some federally funded services with SNAP expected to continue in December.

Among the resolutions passed by the government on Wednesday, funding returned to the U.S. Department of Agriculture which funds services such as SNAP. The last day to allocate November’s SNAP funds was Oct. 29 which didn’t happen as a result of the shutdown.

Washington County Department of Job and Family Services Director Flite Freimann said even though funding for the USDA returned, they aren’t able to allocate November’s funds.

“What we’re experiencing is a technical issue with how the state allocates those funds because everyone receives that money at different times during the month,” said Freimann.

He said it’s a rotating process so the only way to ensure everyone receiving SNAP benefits has access to those funds is by allocating the money at the beginning of each month.

“Those receiving SNAP benefits will see their full benefits in December and it will also include what they didn’t receive in November because of the shutdown,” he said.

Freimann said the government passed a bill to fund the USDA through September 2026 which will ensure those services are covered in the case of another federal shutdown. This date will guarantee that some government services like SNAP will continue to be funded without any lapse in benefits.

The funding deal through September 2026 includes the USDA, military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and legislative branch salaries.

Food pantries in the Mid-Ohio Valley have seen an increase in visitors since SNAP benefits weren’t funded at the beginning of the month.

“The Gospel Mission Food Pantry in Marietta is still seeing an increase in people coming in for food assistance,” said Director Candy Waite. “It has leveled off a little bit but we are still seeing people coming in for help, reassurance, guidance, spiritual encouragement and more.”

Last week, Gospel Mission provided assistance to 727 individuals with 58 visiting for the first time. Waite said before the shutdown, they were averaging around 400 visitors weekly.

“We have never had these kinds of figures since the Gospel Mission Food Pantry began (in 2009),” she said.

Waite said canned items are the most needed but they’re also encouraging donations for milk, bread and eggs.

The Gospel Mission Food Pantry is open 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday; and 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday. There are no appointments or identification required. Contact the Gospel Mission Food Pantry at 740-350-4417

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church’s food pantry is run through the Parkersburg Urban Ministries and is open from 10 a.m. to noon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Contact is 304-428-0537

Brett Dunlap contributed to this story.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com

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