Struggling Texas families see partial SNAP payments amid shutdown – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

The proposed deal to reopen the federal government would fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, through next September.

Some Texans began receiving partial SNAP benefits for the first time on Monday, after funding was paused this month due to the shutdown.

NBC 5 spoke with residents in North Texas who said they are still living in uncertainty, waiting for their benefits and wondering if the partial amount will be enough to get by.

At a South Dallas shopping center, a line stretched down the sidewalk as families and neighbors waited for a hot meal.

“We’re feeding the community today,” said Mary Dudley, owner of Mary’s Twisted Kitchen. “And we said we’re going to do 100 plates, but I’m sure it’s way over 100.”

Dudley said that during the last 41 days of the government shutdown, she’s seen an increase in hunger in the neighborhoods near her Redbird Lane restaurant.

“There’s a lot of people struggling right now, a lot of people,” said Dallas resident Brian Grate.

“It looks bad, and I’m going to do whatever I can to help the community,” Dudley added.

Aside from federal workers whose paychecks have been paused during the shutdown, the SNAP food benefits stoppage has hit many North Texas families hard.

More than 42 million Americans rely on SNAP assistance to access healthy food, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture paused payments on Nov. 1 due to the shutdown.

Dallas resident Chyeminae Williams said her family relies on SNAP.

“It’s been kind of stressful,” Williams said. “With two kids, trying to put food in the house, trying to make sure they’re fed.”

An end could be in sight. On Sunday night, the U.S. Senate took the first step toward a deal to end the shutdown.

On Monday, Texas Health and Human Services announced it had sent out the first SNAP payments of November.

“SNAP clients who usually get their benefits between the 1st and 10th of the month will see partial benefits on their Lone Star Cards Nov. 10,” the agency announced. “For SNAP clients who receive benefits on or after the 11th of the month, partial benefits will be issued on their normal issuance date.”

Some North Texans on SNAP said the announcement was progress, but that challenges remain.

“We already don’t get enough, so partial is just hard enough to make it try to stretch,” Williams said.

“I just hope they figure it out, man,” said Brandon Jenkins. “Holidays coming up, people relying on that, man.”

In the meantime, families in need are turning to their community for help.

“I just want them to come, feel like they’re not being judged, and just enjoy the food,” Dudley said.

Texas Health and Human Services has published a chart showing how much SNAP recipients can expect to receive in their partial payments for this month.