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Food-stamp benefits in North Dakota are at risk starting next month with state officials saying a federal shutdown could leave loaded cards unusable.
The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services told the North Dakota Monitor the state has funds to continue issuing SNAP benefits, but those dollars can’t be loaded onto electronic benefit cards if the federal government remains shut down past October 31.
Interim Commissioner Pat Traynor told The Monitor on Tuesday that the state is prepared to cover the cost, but the federally-controlled card system is inaccessible without USDA approval.
Governor Kelly Armstrong added the state “does not have access to the infrastructure” needed to distribute benefits independently.
The program serves over 57,000 North Dakotans — total payouts in September reached nearly $9.9 million.
Food banks around the state are already prepping for higher demand if benefit payments lapse, with some anticipating a surge of 160 to 200 food boxes per week.
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