Individuals and families who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP known as Food Supplement in Maine) will be receiving their February benefit early to help them withstand potentially severe impacts to SNAP caused by the continued federal government shutdown.

Citing its negative impact on Maine families, Governor Mills and Acting DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew also called on the federal government to end the shut down.

“The ongoing federal shut down puts critical services, including nutrition assistance for Maine children and families at risk,” said Governor Janet T. Mills. “If the shutdown continues past February, 180,000 Maine families, including thousands of children, seniors, and veterans, could be affected over the coming months. I will continue to monitor the effects of this shutdown and marshal Maine’s resources wherever possible to protect our families, but I urge the federal government to end this shutdown immediately, before it causes permanent harms to our state.”

“The Maine Department of Health and Human Services will ensure every SNAP participant receives their February benefits, just earlier than usual. Families should be mindful of this when they are planning their shopping for the month and budget accordingly,” said Acting Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew. “While the Department will continue to monitor this situation, we urge the federal government to end this shutdown and fund these critical services.”

Maine participants who received a SNAP benefit in January and were scheduled to receive the benefit again in February will receive it on January 17th. Participants will not receive another allotment in February.

SNAP is a federal program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provides nutritional assistance to eligible low-income individuals and their families.