State funds for food assistance authorized by Gov. Dunleavy in disaster declaration
- Mark Sabbatini
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
$10M for SNAP-eligible Alaskans and food banks would cover a portion of $25M benefits paid monthly to recipients, as Trump administration set to pay a portion under court order
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
This is a developing story.
Using up to $10 million to provide assistance to residents eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, as well as food pantries, was approved in a state disaster declaration issued Monday by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
The declaration is for 30 days or until the federal government shutdown that has put a hold on SNAP funds ends, whichever occurs first. The Trump administration on Monday said it will, due to a court order, send partial payments this month to the roughly 42 million Americans eligible for SNAP benefits, but the amount and timing of those payments was not immediately known.
A press release issued by Dunleavy’s office Monday states the administration "will work with the federal contractor responsible for loading EBT cards to deposit benefits on a weekly schedule. This ensures Alaskans will not struggle to put food on the table during the shutdown."
"The Alaska Department of Health will begin discussions with food banks and work with them to ensure the resources are available to assist Alaskans that may otherwise fall between the cracks," the release adds.
More than 66,000 Alaskans receive SNAP benefits totaling about $25 million a month provided on debit-like cards credited on the first of each month. The program is administered via states, some of which have opted to provide at least limited funding to recipients during the shutdown.
The Alaska Department of Health had stated in October it was "not mechanically possible" to subsidize SNAP benefits, prompting state legislative leaders to declare they might call a special legislative session to address the issue. Dunleavy’s press release states his actions Monday came after discussions with House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, "to ensure the process for Legislative concurrence is expedited."
"Those discussions have gone well and demonstrate that the executive and legislative branches work well when Alaskans are in need," the release states.
Both Stevens and Edgmon expressed thanks for the declaration in the release.
"Alaskans shouldn’t have to worry about how they’ll feed their families because of a federal stalemate,” Stevens said. “I appreciate and support the Governor’s declaration to ensure that Alaskans are not left behind because of inaction in Washington, D.C. Congress must reconcile their differences and act quickly so Alaskans, and all Americans, can continue to have the support and stability to care for their families.”
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
