Bryan Moves to Tap Rainy Day Fund for SNAP Relief as Shutdown Enters Fourth Week

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said Tuesday that his administration will begin releasing local funds to provide temporary food assistance to roughly 24,000 Virgin Islanders who have been left without November SNAP benefits as the federal government shutdown continues into its fourth week.

Under the plan, announced Monday by Government House, the Human Services Department and the Finance Department will issue checks to each SNAP household covering half of their usual monthly allotment. Those payments will be mailed directly to recipients to ensure families receive aid faster, bypassing the federal system that currently cannot process electronic benefit transfers due to the funding lapse.

Bryan told the Source Tuesday that his administration will likely use the territory’s Rainy Day Fund to cover the payments — roughly $2.5 million — with the option of releasing the remaining half if the federal shutdown persists into December. “Children are hungry, and it’s a state of emergency,” Bryan said. “We’re hoping the Legislature acts before we have to make any declarations, but we’re prepared to do it if necessary.”