Mayor Bowser Announces the District to Ensure Washingtonians Receive November SNAP and WIC Benefits

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she has authorized the use of local funds to ensure Washingtonians enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) receive their November benefits despite the ongoing federal government shutdown.

"We know that SNAP and WIC play a critical role in helping thousands of Washingtonians, and millions of Americans, put food on the table each month," said Mayor Bowser. "We were hopeful it wouldn't come to this - and we still need the federal government to reopen as soon as possible - but for right now, we're moving forward to ensure we take care of DC residents in November."

About 85,000 District households, consisting of 141,000 individuals, receive SNAP each month. The average per household SNAP issuance in DC in recent months is $314. There are over 12,500 District residents in 8,300 households who benefit from WIC and who receive food benefits to purchase critical items such as infant formula, nutritious foods, and fruits and vegetables. The WIC Program also supports nutrition education services, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other health and social services for mothers, babies, and children under five years.

SNAP and WIC benefits also provide economic benefits to the District. It is estimated that every $1 of SNAP benefits generate $1.54 of economic activity, with residents spending funds directly at local grocery stores and other businesses.

The federal government shut down on October 1. While SNAP recipients received their October benefits, tens of millions of Americans are set to miss out on their November payments. Similarly, WIC has only been funded through the first week in November.

Earlier this week, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit with 25 states to restore SNAP food assistance during the federal shutdown. While this lawsuit makes its way through the judicial system, Mayor Bowser decided to authorize the use of local funds to ensure DC residents do not miss a payment.

The SNAP and WIC benefits will be paid using contingency cash funds. The District's contingency cash fund is a locally-funded reserve available for unforeseen and non-recurring needs. The estimated SNAP benefits for November are $29 million. The estimated WIC benefits are $1.5 million, which includes $1 million of direct benefits and $500,000 of grants to non-profits and personnel and non-personnel services necessary to run the program. The contingency funds will be replenished when the Mayor submits her budget to the Council next year.

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