Federal Shutdown Puts Wyoming Energy and Food Assistance On Hold

The Wyoming Department of Family Services has announced that the state's Low Income Energy Assistance--or LIEAP--program has been paused due to the federal government shutdown.

Likewise,  the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program--or SNAP--will not be issuing benefits for November until federal funding is restored.

A Monthly Average of 28,000 Wyoming Residents Are Served By SNAP

Department of Family Services spokeswoman Kelly Douglas wrote in a news release "During state fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025), an average of 28,364 individuals were served by SNAP each month. The average SNAP payment is about $185 each month per person."

Almost half of SNAP recipients were 17 years old or younger. The benefits would have gone to recipients during the first week of November. According to the release, DFS is working with local food banks to fill the gap. At this point no one knows if the missed payments will be made up once the shutdown ends.

“We understand the uncertainty about November’s SNAP funds may create a hardship for families and elderly who rely on this resource, and we want to give them time to prepare,” DFS Director Korin Schmidt said. “We will continue to work with our clients to process applications and renewals so that benefits can be issued as soon as Congress reinstates funding." 

Energy Assistance Also Paused

Wyoming's Low Income Energy Assistance has also bee put on hold, according to another DFS news release. The release says no new applications for that program have been approved since October 15.

According to the release "DFS had limited funding at the beginning of the LIEAP season, which allowed the program to  accept applications beginning September 2.  The LIEAP program was able to approve 1,168 Wyoming households this season with the limited funding available. These 1,168 households have been approved for the 2025-2026 heating season and can expect to be supported through May.

Those who wish to apply for benefits should do so, and anyone who has already applied and has not received approval should continue to comply with the verification process."

As of Thursday the federal shutdown was in it's 16th day, the third-longest such shutdown on record. The U.S. Senate on Thursday once again did not approve a spending bill which would have ended the shutdown.