The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1 with no resolution in sight.  

City staff are monitoring potential impacts from the shutdown in Minneapolis. We continue to have enough cash on hand to keep City programs and services that depend on federal funding going temporarily despite a slowdown in payments from the federal government.  

But with federal programs at growing risk as the shutdown continues – especially for food assistance – we’re sharing some key information our community should know. 

Food assistance

Shutdown impacts to SNAP benefits

Food security is a critical priority and a real concern for many families in our community. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be issued beginning in November due to the federal shutdown. Over 60,000 of our Minneapolis community members, which is 14 percent of our City’s residents, will be affected by the lack of SNAP benefits.

On Oct. 27, Governor Tim Walz announced the State of Minnesota would provide $4 million in emergency funds to support food shelves. 

Attorney General Keith Ellison is co-leading a coalition of 22 other attorneys general and three governors in filing suit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for issuing SNAP benefits, and Secretary Brooke Rolling for unlawfully suspending SNAP. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order, arguing that the USDA has repeatedly stated its authority to continue SNAP benefits during a shutdown. 

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is monitoring this situation and providing information to counties and tribal nations, which administer SNAP benefits in Minnesota. Find more information on the State's website

Food shelves

Minnesota has more than 300 food shelves and meal programs to help support families when they need help right away. 

Residents can find a local food shelf using the Hunger Solutions’ map or by calling 1-888-711-1151.

Nutrition and breastfeeding program 

If you have children up to age 5, you may qualify for WIC. WIC is Hennepin County's Women, Infants and Children nutrition and breastfeeding program that can help get food on the table. Learn more about WIC on the Hennepin County website

How to help support our community

You can consider donating your dollars or time to a nearby food shelf to support neighbors. Locally, Minneapolis food shelves buy food that meet the specific needs of the communities they serve. Cash donations have the greatest impact because they allow local food shelves to: 

• Access wholesale and discounted prices so they can stretch your dollar 
• Make purchases based on inventory and cultural needs 
• Purchase fresh foods like produce, eggs, meat and milk 

Impact to family planning services 

We're monitoring potential impacts to the City’s family planning services. There have reportedly been mass layoffs to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs (OPA) made during the shutdown.

OPA administers the nation’s Title X family-planning network, teen-pregnancy prevention, and LGBTQ+ health initiatives. If the program does not exist, it will affect City services provided at school-based clinics and jobs supported through OPA grants. 

The Minneapolis Health Department has identified funding that would allow services to continue through December. 

Read the City's previous federal government shutdown update published on Oct. 2

Find more information on the City's response to federal actions