SNAP Benefits Disruptions

• Routt County issued a press release on October 28. Click HERE to view.
• Teller County launched a local food assistance program. Click HERE to read more.

• New 10/23 – CDHS has provided county directors with information via email on: “How to use TANF funds and alternatives to EBT cards to help support SNAP clients” for suggestions on how counties can leverage their existing annual TANF allocation to provide emergency food aid through a variety of channels and/or provide clients with alternative ways of accessing Colorado Works and Adult Financial cash assistance.
• New 10/22 – CDHS Media document with FAQs available for your use. And a new heat map with SNAP cases per congressional district & county.
• FNS Memo on SNAP lapse and contingency funds
  • Explainer on contingency funds from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP)

New 10/24 Office of Economic Security (OES) received a guidance letter from FNS on Friday, 10/24. Here are the high-level takeaways:

• Confirms suspension of benefits effective November 1
• “FNS encourages state agencies to limit administrative expenses only to the activities necessary to support the eligibility and issuance processes, integrity/oversight, and system maintenance”
• “Households shall receive retroactive benefits once the suspension is lifted upon the availability of federal funding”
• It clearly states that households can continue to redeem benefits at eligible retailers during November.
• These updates have been incorporated into the media statement & has been sent out to grocery partners.

– On October 15, 2025 CDHS shared with County Directors that on October 10, 2025, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) informed all States to hold the November 2025 benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) until further notice, due to the lapse in federal appropriations resulting from the ongoing federal shutdown.

– On October 16, 2025 CDHS shared with counties a link to a document for all Client Communications regarding this development.

– On October 17, 2025, Governor Polis issued the following statement, “Looming Federal SNAP Shut Off Threatens Colorado Families & Economy”

– CDHS has prepared CBMS to send out automated speed notifications to clients regarding their November benefits and updated the CDHS website, social media, and PEAK portal with messaging to clients.

– As of right now, please direct all clients impacted to: Colorado 211: Dial 2-1-1 or (866)760-5489 or visit https://www.211colorado.org AND/OR Feeding Colorado Resources at https://feedingcolorado.org/find-food/ or info@feedingcolorado.org to identify their local food back.

– For those in your communities that would like to help during this time, please direct them to donate financial cash funds to local food banks and pantries to meet the demand. Cash funds allow food banks to purchase the most food at scale in the quickest way.

– As a reminder, all eligibility workers are to continue to process cases as normal.

Governor Jared Polis announced today that he is requesting $10 million in emergency funding from the Joint Budget Committee to support food banks and pantries across Colorado. The state is also launching a philanthropic initiative through Feeding Colorado to help bridge the gap for families in need.

“We’re providing emergency state support for food banks, extending WIC access, and giving every Coloradan an opportunity to help by donating to FeedingColorado.org/donate,” Polis said.

More than 600,000 Coloradans, half of them children, rely on SNAP benefits, and without federal action, these households face severe food insecurity. Read the full announcement HERE.

CCI hosted a virtual meeting with the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) to brief Commissioners on the situation and discuss county-level impacts and response strategies.

Resources from the Webinar

• Slide Deck: CDHS and CCI Presentation – Addressing Urgent Hunger Needs
• Webinar Recording: Available on the Colorado Counties YouTube channel
• CDHS Client Communications Document: Living Document – SNAP Disruption Updates
• CDHS Webinar on SNAP Benefits: In-chat Questions for CDHS on Expiration of SNAP Benefits
  • Note: This document will be updated in real time as more details become available.

Here’s what you need to know:

• No November SNAP benefits can be issued until federal funding resumes.
• New SNAP applicants after October 15 will receive October benefits only for now.
• Ongoing SNAP households will not receive November benefits on the usual schedule (Nov 1–10).
• CDHS sent notices to affected households on October 21 explaining the delay.
• Benefits will resume once the shutdown ends, but timing and amount remain uncertain.

What this means for counties:

• Expect increased calls, walk-ins, and frustration from clients who rely on these benefits.
• Staff may need to spend additional time meeting with clients during this difficult period.
• Administrative costs may rise; consider mobilizing volunteers or preparing commodity boxes for clients in immediate need.

What CDHS is doing:

• Preparing clear public messages (texts, emails, web updates, and lobby postings).
• Exploring partnerships with community food pantries to help fill the gap.

How Commissioners Can Help:

• As of right now, please direct all clients impacted to: Colorado 211: Dial 2-1-1 or (866)760-5489 or visit https://www.211colorado.org AND/OR Feeding Colorado Resources at https://feedingcolorado.org/find-food/ or info@feedingcolorado.org to identify their local food back.
• Support local food banks and pantries, encourage donations or volunteer efforts.
• Prepare for higher call and walk-in volumes; consider temporary staffing increases.
• Enhance safety and communication, encourage staff to practice empathy and review security protocols.