LAST UPDATED: 9.29.23 at 2:00 PM
As of midnight October 1, 2023, the US Government does not have an active budget approved by the US Legislature and signed by the President. Without an active budget or a continuing resolution (CR) to maintain operations, the government goes into a shutdown. The last shutdown began on December 22, 2018, and lasted until January 25, 2019.
This document will be updated by MIFMA and its partners with the most up-to-date information available. We anticipate some details may be updated several times. All information provided is believed to be accurate at the time of publication. Please use the information provided as a guide to answer questions you may have about the shutdown’s impact on your community.
If you have any additional questions, please email foodaccess@mifma.org or call the MIFMA office at 517-432-3381.
How will the government shutdown impact our food assistance programs?
- WIC Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH – will not be impacted for the remainder of the 2023 season. Any delays you experience this fall with coupon reimbursement are due to the state’s annual audit process, and reimbursements will resume as soon as the audit is complete.
- SNAP/EBT/Bridge Cards – there not should be an impact at the retailer level. Retailers (such as your market) will still be able to process cards and receive the deposits like normal.
- Double Up Food Bucks – there should not be an impact to the program. While Fair Food Network does receive federal grant funding to help support the Double Up program in Michigan, we do not anticipate any interruption.
Will SNAP/EBT/Bridge Card shoppers see an impact?
- Shoppers should not see any impact in October. If the shutdown continues into November, it is not yet certain what effects may follow.
What if I want to become a new SNAP Retailer or if I’m in the reauthorization process?
- MIFMA anticipates that FNS staff who process applications will not be considered essential and that both of those processes will be stalled until a funding agreement (budget or CR) is signed.
What programs will be impacted by the shutdown?
- Programs Continuing: Food Inspections are expected to continue with some delays and slowdowns in the process
- Programs Impacted: Loan and Application processes across the whole of the government, including Farm Loans, HUD New Housing Loans, and Small Business Loans will be stopped or severely delayed.
Resources & Links
Food Bank Council of Michigan’s (Food and Other Resources Helpline)
1-888-544-8773
White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-for-agencies/agency-contingency-plans/
USDA FNS Shutdown Contingency Plan (Updated 2021)
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fns-2021-contingency-plan.pdf
Rep Kildee’s Office (MI-08)
https://dankildee.house.gov/governmentshutdown
Rep Thaneder’s Office (MI-13)
https://thanedar.house.gov/possible-2023-government-shutdown
Rep Dingell’s Office (MI-06)
https://debbiedingell.house.gov/government-shutdown-frequently-asked-questions/