16,000 Larimer County Children Face Food Benefit Cuts as SNAP Suspension Continues
More than 16,000 children in Larimer County are among 34,000 residents affected by the federal suspension of SNAP benefits now entering its second month, with judges ordering restoration but the administration announcing only partial payments will be issued.
Larimer County Human Services Director Heather O'Hare told county commissioners November 3 that of the approximately 34,000 county residents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, 16,264 are children, 3,253 are older adults over age 64, and 4,879 are adults with disabilities.
The U.S. Food and Nutrition Services directed states October 11 to suspend all SNAP benefits for November following the federal government shutdown that began October 1. The State of Colorado notified SNAP recipients of the suspension October 22.
Two federal judges ruled October 31 that the benefit suspension could be unlawful and ordered Food and Nutrition Services to provide a plan to restore funding by November 3, with benefits to be released by November 6. However, as commissioners received the update, the federal administration announced only partial payments would be issued for November rather than full monthly benefits.
This marks the first time in SNAP program history that the federal government has failed to pay out regular benefits nationwide, according to state and federal program records. Previous government shutdowns in 2013 and 2019 involved payment delays or advance distributions but never a complete suspension of monthly benefits.
Emergency Funding Falls Short of Need
The Colorado Joint Budget Committee approved $10 million statewide October 30 to be distributed through food banks in three separate disbursements targeted for early November, November 15, and November 30 if the benefit suspension continues.
Larimer County will receive approximately $650,000 of the emergency allocation, O'Hare said. Food Bank for Larimer County Executive Director Amy Pizzani estimates the county's portion can be leveraged to purchase approximately $1.8 million worth of food through bulk purchasing power.
However, the purchasing power still falls significantly short of the need created by the suspension. Larimer County residents typically receive $6.5 million monthly in SNAP benefits, representing nearly $20 million every three months.
Food Bank for Larimer County reported more than 500 new household sign-ups at its no-cost markets in October, more than triple the usual monthly average of approximately 150 new households. The organization has launched a drive to collect 4,700 turkeys for Thanksgiving distribution.
The $10 million emergency funding would not take effect if benefits are fully restored this week, O'Hare said. The timing of any benefit restoration depends on federal compliance with court orders, state processing through the Colorado Benefits Management System, and coordination with a third-party vendor that manages EBT cards for 40 states.
County Provides Direct Outreach to Vulnerable Households
Larimer County received a report from the state identifying 2,500 households that had spent all October benefits by month's end—the "zero balance report" showing families who entered November without any remaining food assistance funds.
Vanessa Fuel, Division Manager with Larimer County's Benefits and Community Support Division, said county staff launched reverse outreach efforts, directly calling affected households to provide information about food resources and program eligibility.
"We're hearing a lot of really positive response to yes, I can find on Facebook whatever resources are being put out or other social media," Fuel said. "But having someone contact the household directly and say, we know that you have $0 on your EBT card, here's where you can go get food today."
The department observed applications for food assistance slowing significantly as word spread in the community that November benefits would not be issued. Staff are strongly encouraging residents to continue applying and submitting redetermination paperwork to maintain benefits once the suspension ends.
Community Response Grows as Holidays Approach
Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally expressed concern about the approaching holidays when children will not have access to school meals. "I don't think it's lost on any of us that we're heading into two major holiday areas," she said. "I just want to make sure kids aren't hungry on Thanksgiving or Christmas."
Multiple Fort Collins restaurants and businesses have organized relief efforts. Philippe French Bistro launched a free meal program November 2, while Friendly Nick's Butcher raised $75,000 for meat distribution beginning November 4. Weld Food Bank reported demand doubling when it opened November 3.
O'Hare said the county will convene local food security partners if benefits are not restored by November 6. The department has been in communication with community organizations including Meals on Wheels about potential coordination strategies.
Research shows children experiencing food insecurity face higher risks of poor health, developmental delays, lower academic performance, and reduced lifetime earnings. Food bank distributions provide critical emergency support but typically replace only a fraction of the meal volume and nutritional stability provided by direct SNAP benefits, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture program evaluations.
Residents seeking food assistance can contact Larimer County Human Services at 970-498-7750 or visit larimer.gov/humanservices.