The federal government shutdown is over, but many Virginians who rely on food stamps could soon face a new crisis as the Trump administration pushes recipients to reapply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Health experts said the reapplication process, coming on the heels of weeks-long disruptions during the shutdown, will push already-strained families into deeper food insecurity — and widen the state’s growing nutrition gap.
Even before the shutdown, SNAP benefits weren’t keeping pace with rising food prices or supporting the level of food quality families need, said Jenalee Doom, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Denver who studies childhood nutrition.
Now, families must navigate a new administrative hurdle that could leave them without assistance for weeks while their paperwork is processed.
“It’s extremely stressful and incredibly wasteful,” Doom said. “Both for families and for the government, honestly, to have all of this work that has already been done to redo that is a huge waste of government spending and resources.”
But the strain is not distributed evenly. Data from the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO shows that some communities are far more dependent on SNAP — and therefore more vulnerable to delays and cuts.
In Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore, Portsmouth has the highest SNAP participation rate at 23%. More than 18% of residents in Newport News and Northampton County use the program, while about 16% of Norfolk households rely on SNAP to supplement their food budgets. Virginia Beach has the lowest SNAP usage in the region, with participation below 8%.
The consequences go beyond fewer groceries in the cart. Doom said many low-income children are already missing essential nutrients because of the limitations of SNAP, which often cannot cover enough fresh produce, healthy proteins or iron-rich foods.
Iron deficiency is especially common among children with limited access to nutritious meals and has been linked to long-term developmental issues — including depression, ADHD, lower IQ and weaker brain development.
At the same time, the cheapest foods available to families on tight budgets are often ultra-processed, calorie-dense and nutrient-poor.
“Kids can end up with both obesity and nutrient deficiencies,” Doom said. “They’re full but not nourished.”Doom said food banks play a critical role because SNAP benefits often fall short of covering a month’s worth of groceries, especially when it comes to nutritious items like fruits, vegetables and proteins.
“Food banks fill the gaps that SNAP can’t cover,” Doom said. “They provide produce and other healthy options families might not be able to afford, and they support people who don’t receive SNAP but still need help.”
While these challenges remain for families who receive SNAP, many children who need nutrition assistance do not even qualify for federal aid.
One in three children who face food insecurity in Virginia are likely not eligible for SNAP due to their household income being above 185% of the poverty level, according to data from Feeding America, a hunger relief organization.
