As of 12:01 a.m. ET this morning (10/1), funding for the federal government lapsed. Many departments and agencies—including USDA—have now shut down. The severity and timing of disruptions to federal operations will vary from agency to agency. We do not know how long the shutdown will last. 

Millions of employees of federal contractors and the federal government stand to be impacted. In Oregon, 21,000 employees will be affected. Some employees will be furloughed, and some—including military personnel—will need to continue working without pay until funding legislation is passed and back pay is issued. Recently proposed reductions in force (RIFs) could further impact the federal workforce. Many employees of federal contractors will be immediately unable to work in their current jobs or receive pay while contracts are suspended, and they are not likely to receive back pay.

**If federal employees come to your TEFAP pantry and are unsure about the income guidelines, please remind them they qualify to receive food, since they are not currently receiving any income (regardless of what amount was on their last paycheck).

• TEFAP, and CSFP orders are placed in advance and will not immediately be impacted. During a shutdown, USDA cannot place new orders for TEFAP or other federal commodity foods. 
  
  
• SNAP benefits should be delivered in full and on time at least through October. WIC benefits and services should be available at least during a short shutdown. As of this writing, Oregon SNAP and WIC benefits are still working. 
  
  
• Child Nutrition Programs (like school and afterschool meal programs) generally operate on a reimbursement basis, so would not be disrupted through at least October. 

We will continue to keep our partners updated as we learn more. 

Feeding America Resources:

• If the government remains shut down through Oct. 3, Feeding America will host a networkwide response webinar on Friday, Oct. 3, from 3-4 p.m. CT. We’ll share status from Washington, D.C., and plans to support the network’s response. We’ll also provide space for network partners to share questions and local insights. The webinar will be recorded. If Congress negotiates a funding deal before Oct. 3, we will cancel this event.
  
  
• You can also access the Feeding America press statement communicating how a government shutdown will worsen today’s hunger crisis by jeopardizing the ability of civilian and military federal employees and employees of federal contractors to afford the food they need.