Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency Thursday to authorize the use of state funds to continue providing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to more than 850,000 Virginians — including thousands of Alexandria residents — starting Nov. 1.
The emergency declaration comes as federal funding for SNAP is expected to run out after 22 days of a federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1.
The city is home to approximately 4,400 families who receive SNAP benefits. Without the governor’s emergency declaration, these residents would face uncertainty about whether their November food assistance would arrive as the shutdown, which began Oct. 1, enters its 22nd day.
Alexandria is also home to approximately 13,000 federal employees who have been affected by the shutdown, compounding the economic strain on the community. Federal contractors and members of the military living and working in Alexandria may be furloughed or working without pay.
“Due to the federal government shutdown, Governor Youngkin has declared a state of emergency to allow the use of state funds to continue providing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits to recipients in November,” the city stated on social media Thursday evening.
The city updated its food assistance webpage to inform residents that there is currently no change to benefits already issued, and recipients should continue to treat their EBT cards as active. The city is monitoring the situation and will post updates on its website and social media channels.
“We understand this is a stressful time and are committed to keeping you informed,” the city stated in its update.
Youngkin blamed congressional Democrats for the shutdown in his statement Thursday.
“The Democrat Shutdown will cause SNAP benefits to run out for over 850,000 Virginians in need starting November 1, 2025,” Youngkin said. “I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as ‘leverage’ by Congressional Democrats. I am declaring a State of Emergency due to the Democrat Shutdown to protect hungry Virginians in need.”
He called on Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to vote for a clean continuing resolution to reopen the federal government and added: “The Commonwealth will provide food benefits until Congressional Democrats put the interests of Virginians in need ahead of their politics. I thank President Trump and his Administration for their help as they continue to provide support to Virginians in need.”
Sen. Mark Warner sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s planned trip to Asia during a remote media availability Thursday, calling it “the height of irresponsibility” as the government shutdown enters its 23rd day. Warner expressed frustration that Trump plans to leave the country for nearly a week while federal workers and contractors go without pay and Virginians face dramatic increases in healthcare premiums.
The city advises SNAP recipients to check their benefit status or EBT balance using their card and usual methods, contact the Virginia Department of Social Services at 855-635-4370 or visit the Workforce Development Center at 4850 Mark Center Drive, sixth floor, for assistance with new applications, and call the DCHS Call Center at 703-746-5700 or text 703-346-5599 for questions about pending cases or document submissions (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Federal employees and contractors affected by the shutdown can find help with housing, utilities, childcare and city tax payment plans through the city’s federal shutdown resource page.
Alexandria residents in need of food assistance can access numerous local resources, including ALIVE! Food Distribution Hubs at West End (510-F South Van Dorn St.) and Del Ray (2601 Mt. Vernon Ave.), weekend food distribution on the last Saturday of most months at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center and William Ramsay Recreation Center, and various food pantries throughout the city, including Historic Christ Church, CCDA Alexandria, Grace Episcopal Church and West End Food Pantry. For seniors unable to leave home, Meals on Wheels delivers two meals daily for $12 a day (subsidized meals may be available).
The shutdown has also affected federal workers and contractors in Alexandria. The city is offering payment plan assistance for those unable to pay taxes due to lost income. While penalties and interest will continue to accrue under the law, payment plans can help defer the immediate outlay of funds.
Virginia law passed in 2020 and updated in 2025 legally protects furloughed federal employees and contractors from eviction and foreclosure during any government shutdown. Affected residents can request a 60-day continuance of eviction cases or stays of foreclosure proceedings.
The city’s Department of Community and Human Services provides Emergency Safety Net Services to residents who face an immediate crisis and need help to resolve the situation. For more information, call the DCHS Customer Call Center at 703-746-5700.
The state of emergency gives Virginia the authority to expend emergency funds under sum sufficient authority to provide SNAP benefits while the federal government remains shut down.
The city maintains a dedicated federal shutdown resource page with updates and information for affected residents.
This is a developing story.
For more information:
- City of Alexandria DCHS Call Center: 703-746-5700 or text 703-346-5599
- Virginia SNAP hotline: 855-635-4370
- Food assistance resources: alexandriava.gov/food-assistance
- Federal shutdown resources: alexandriava.gov/FederalShutdown
