By Aaron Bonderson and Macy Byars
The federal government shutdown is over and full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments on the way, but Nebraskans are still facing uncertainty over food assistance.
Partial SNAP monthly payments were disbursed Wednesday night by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services when the shutdown ended. Some Nebraskans received up to 65% of their monthly payments, while others received less or nothing at all.
Full and remaining payments should be on the way soon.
"After guidance was received from the USDA authorizing partial issuances, the team immediately worked to ensure these payments were issued as soon as possible,” DHHS Office of Economic Assistance Director Shannon Grotrian said in a press release. “Now that the federal government is officially reopened, we will work to distribute the remaining benefits as soon as the USDA provides final authorization.”
Eric Savaiano, program manager for food and nutrition access at Nebraska Appleseed said full payments are expected by end-of-day Friday.
“This is our best guess at the moment,” Savaiano said. “With that guidance from USDA, there's nothing stopping DHHS from putting out the benefits as quickly as possible.”
Calculations to prevent overpayments and underpayments are underway. Savaiano said the partial payments from Nebraska DHHS were helpful, but not enough for those who rely on SNAP.
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