City of Norfolk, VA

10/31/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2025 13:52

November 2025 SNAP Benefits: Important Information for Norfolk Residents

NORFOLK, Va. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified the Commonwealth of Virginia that November 2025 SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits cannot be issued at this time due to the federal government shutdown. This nationwide issue is affecting all SNAP recipients and households and cannot be appealed.

In response, Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency and launched the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) effort to help Virginians maintain access to food during this crisis.

The City of Norfolk and Norfolk Department of Human Services are working closely with state and local partners to keep residents informed and supported.

What Norfolk Residents Need to Know

  • VENA benefits will be issued weekly instead of monthly.
  • Eligible households will receive weekly emergency allotments equal to 25 percent of their usual SNAP benefit.
  • Example: A household that typically receives $400 a month will receive $100 weekly.
  • Funds will be automatically loaded onto existing EBT cards. No application is required.
  • Emergency benefit schedule:
  • Regular issuance on the 1st of the month → Emergency funds on Mondays (starting Nov. 3)
  • Regular issuance on the 4th of the month → Emergency funds on Wednesdays (starting Nov. 5)
  • Regular issuance on the 7thof the month → Emergency funds on Fridays (starting Nov. 7)
  • Weekly disbursements will continue through November or until the federal shutdown ends.
  • Any remaining SNAP funds must be spent before VENA funding can be accessed.
  • EBT Card Protection: Use the lock/unlock feature, avoid self-checkout when possible and only unlock EBT cards when using it. Be sure to lock EBT cards after checkout. Learn more about EBT security.

Local Assistance

Residents are encouraged to contact the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore at www.foodbankonline.org for emergency food resources and assistance.

Stay Updated

For updates, visit www.norfolk.gov/HumanServices and follow City of Norfolk VA on Facebook. Residents are also encouraged to sign up to receive Norfolk Alerts via call, text and/or email. Sign up at www.norfolk.gov/alert.

City of Norfolk, VA published this content on October 31, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 31, 2025 at 19:53 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]