Territory joins five states and the District of Columbia in using local dollars to cover all or part of November food aid amid federal shutdown
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. delivers remarks during the Government House weekly press briefing on November 3, 2025 at Government House in St. Thomas
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. today announced that the U.S. Virgin Islands has completed payment of half of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to eligible households using local funds, ensuring families can buy groceries during the federal shutdown.
On Saturday, the Departments of Finance and Human Services mailed 10,603 checks that provide 50% of the normal November benefit to support more than 20,700 Virgin Islanders. The payments followed the Governor’s signing of Act No. 9047, which authorized about $2.7 million from the Budget Stabilization Fund to protect November food assistance while federal disbursements are delayed.
“Thank you to the dedicated employees at Human Services and Finance,” Governor Bryan said. “You worked days, nights and weekends so our neighbors would not go without support. Your professionalism made a real difference.”
Across the country, Delaware, New Mexico, Louisiana, Virginia and Vermont, and the District of Columbia have announced they will use local funds to cover some or all November SNAP. The Virgin Islands has already done so, with payments completed this weekend.
The Governor also thanked local businesses and nonprofit partners that are offering discounts and meal support to families and invited others to coordinate with the Department of Human Services during the shutdown.
###