Your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs is committed to serving as a resource for veterans and their families as well as the actively serving military community in our state.
With the federal government shutdown, we know there are significant impacts to Veteran and military families in our state. Military families (including our National Guard and Reservists) are concerned about missing servicemember paychecks, some furloughed federal workers (which includes many military spouses and veterans) have not been paid since the shutdown began on October 1. In addition, there are food programs that may be impacted due to the shutdown.
Below are resources and how to access updates from our Washington state agency partners. The information shared was current as of October 31.
SNAP - U.S. Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP and called Basic Food in Washington, helps people with low incomes make ends meet by providing monthly benefits to buy food.
- If the federal government shutdown continues, food assistance benefits in Washington may end on Oct. 31, 2025. DSHS has more information about the impacts as well as what clients can do to prepare for the loss of benefits. https://www.dshs.wa.gov/alert/partial-federal-government-shutdown
- Find Your Local Food Bank | Feeding America - Local Food Bank Listings
- More help locating food resources is available from the Washington Department of Agriculture online, or by phone at 360-725-5640. Washington 211 is a free, confidential service that helps connect people with resources.
WIC – Women, Infants, and Children – food benefits that are distributed through a WIC benefits card to purchase specific foods through participating stores. For updates, please visit: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program | Washington State Department of Health
- As of October 20, Washington State WIC will provide food benefits through mid to late November.
- Due to the federal government shutdown, some WIC offices may temporarily close. For now, please continue to use your benefits as usual.
- If you have an appointment or need help, call your WIC office or check their website to see if they are open. You can use the “WIC Clinic Locator” to find local agencies, phone numbers, and other details.
Working Connections Child Care Subsidy – Washington State’s child care subsidy program for working families is administered through the Washington State Department of Children Youth & Families. Many military families in Washington State participate in this program which does not include BAH in the income calculation for eligibility. DCYF has shared that DCYF programs and services are not impacted by the federal shutdown. For updates, please visit: A Message from Secretary Senn: Federal Government Shutdown Will Not Impact DCYF Services | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
School Meals offered through public schools in Washington State include the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and After School Snack Program – School Meals programs are continuing during the federal government shutdown. For updates, please visit the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction site School Meals or your local school district.
Unemployment Benefits for Federal Workers – The Washington State Employment Security Department has seen a surge in unemployment benefit claims due to federal government furloughs and layoffs. For more information, visit Federal shutdown, private-sector layoffs lead to increase in unemployment claims | Employment Security Department
- Rules for federal employees, corporate officers and educational employees | Employment Security Department - Rules for federal workers and unemployment claims
- Temporary layoffs and furloughs | Employment Security Department – Information for workers who have been furloughed
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- Home - WA 211 - Dial 211 from anywhere in Washington State and you will reach a highly-trained information and referral specialist who will assess your needs and provide a list of referrals to available resources in your community.
- Government Shutdown: Financial Resources for Federal Workers - The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has compiled financial and community resources for federal workers impacted by the federal government shutdown.
- Guidance for consumers, financial institutions and federal workers
- The Division of Disability Determination Services continues to process all disability claim types with support of state funding during a federal funding lapse. For any questions about Social Security Administration benefit payments, please visit www.ssa.gov for updated information during the federal government shutdown.
- Federal shutdown impacts on Washington state government - Office of Financial Management
- Additional Resource Providers for Military Families: