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November 14, 2025: Following new federal guidance, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will issue full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to all eligible households as outlined below: WHO WHAT WHEN Households that did not receive a VENA benefit. This would apply to households that were approved for SNAP benefits after October 29. SNAP benefits will be issued all at once. Saturday, Nov. 15 Households that received a VENA benefit in November and a partial SNAP benefit on Thursday, Nov. 13. Households will receive the remaining amount of their regular monthly SNAP benefit. This benefit amount is the difference between the partial SNAP benefit already received and the household's normal monthly issuance. Tuesday, Nov. 18 December benefits are expected to return to the normal issuance schedule (on the 1st, 4th, or 7th day of the month). With the end of the federal shutdown, VDSS does not anticipate any further disruptions to SNAP benefits in 2025. Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA), which was launched by Governor Glenn Youngkin to provide critical state-funded emergency food assistance during the federal shutdown, will no longer be provided at this time. As a reminder, SNAP customers are strongly encouraged to keep their EBT card locked through the ConnectEBT website or app when not in use. Frequently Asked Questions Q. Will my November SNAP benefit be issued all at once? A. Virginia SNAP households will receive the balance of their normal monthly benefit in one upcoming issuance as follows: Households that did not receive VENA will receive their full SNAP benefit on Saturday, November 15. Households that received VENA in November and a partial SNAP benefit on Thursday, November 13, will receive the remaining balance of their normal SNAP benefits on Tuesday, November 18. December benefits are expected to return to the normal issuance schedule (on the 1st, 4th or 7th day of the month). Q. Will November SNAP benefits be issued to all customers on the same day? A. No. The remaining November benefits for SNAP households in Virginia will be issued on either Saturday, November 15 or Tuesday, November 18, depending upon the criteria outlined in the table above. Q. Can I still apply for SNAP in November? A. Households in need of nutritional assistance may apply for SNAP benefits in person at their local department of social services, by mail or online at CommonHelp.virginia.gov. Please note that you may experience longer wait times at call centers and offices as things get back to normal following the end of the government shutdown. Q. What if I have a recertification, paperwork due or need to report a change in circumstances? A. Continue to submit all required documents. SNAP households must continue to meet program requirements, including reporting required changes and completing recertifications on time. VENA Q. Will SNAP customers receive any more VENA funding? A. Governor Youngkin responded to the federal shutdown by creating the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) initiative to help families continue receiving food benefits. Now that federal SNAP benefits have resumed, VENA benefits will not be issued. Virginia SUN Bucks Q. Does the federal government shutdown impact the Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) my family received? A. No, the federal government shutdown does not impact the use of SUN Bucks benefits on EBT or SUN Bucks cards. Families have 122 days from the date of issuance to use any SUN Bucks benefits. Food Banks & Other Resources Q. Where can I get information on food bank and food pantry locations in the Commonwealth? A. If you need food resources during the government shutdown, we encourage you to reach out to your local food banks or community agencies in your area. To find these resources, visit https://vafoodbanks.org. You can also contact 211 Virginia by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-230-6977, or texting CONNECT to 247211. For hearing impaired services, dial 7-1-1, then 1-800-230-6977. Q. How can I help my community with food resources? A. Governor Youngkin recently launched the Virginia Cares Initiative, a Commonwealth-wide food drive created to support Virginians affected by the federal government shutdown. Virginians can support their neighbors by donating food, funds, or by volunteering through regional food banks, which will distribute aid through a network of more than 1,000 pantries statewide. Virginians can visit the Virginia Cares Initiative sign-up page to learn more, find their nearest food bank, and receive regional information on how to donate, volunteer, or host a food drive. GENERAL Q. Where can I continue to receive updates? A. The Virginia Department of Social Services will continue to provide updates on the federal government shutdown and its impact on SNAP recipients as we information becomes available. Information will also be posted on our official social media channels (Facebook, X, Instagram) for updates, but this page will have the most updated information.

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