Due to the continued federal government shutdown, people who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children program (WIC) may not receive their full food benefits starting on November 1, 2025.
Nationally, SNAP feeds more than 4 million people with disabilities. WIC provides necessary nutrition for young children that supports their healthy development and growth. Even short disruptions to these benefits can be very harmful for both of these groups.
In this issue of the Policy Perspective:
- Find out how Colorado and the City and County of Denver are addressing this crisis.
- Learn about food resources that are available.
- Learn how to engage your members of Congress to encourage them to restore funding for SNAP and WIC as soon as possible.
What are Colorado and Denver doing to address this crisis?
Governor Polis has proposed using $10 million in General Fund revenue to support food banks and pantries, and $7.5 million for WIC. These funds are sufficient to supplement SNAP benefits for six weeks and WIC for four weeks.
Colorado and Denver both have websites through which users can search for food resources.
What food resources are available while SNAP and WIC are paused?
Several websites allow you to search for available food resources that are close to you. You will need to either enter your zip code or address to see what is available close to you. Several of these also allow you to filter your search for organizations that deliver to your home, should you need this service. You can also find organizations that will help with specialized dietary needs or offer specific types of resources, such as a food bank, a meal service, or emergency food support.
Contact your members of Congress to request that they restore funding for SNAP and WIC as soon as possible.
Congress has the power to prevent this crisis. Send a message now urging them to take action today to protect food assistance programs before it’s too late
How to contact your members of Congress!
Policy Perspective is a publication of ADVOCACYDENVER. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Baumann, Policy Outreach Specialist, at pbaumann@advocacydenver.org or 303.974.2535.