We’re sharing updates on how county services are operating, along with helpful resources for our community.
Depending on how long a federal shutdown lasts, it may affect the delivery of federally-funded assistance programs such as:
Residents should call Pikes Peak United Way at 211 for the most updated information on how and where to receive any type of assistance, including food, financial, or mental health services. Pikes Peak United Way serves as the clearinghouse for our non-profit organizations and its available resources in real time.
During a government shutdown, the following federal activities may be put on hold:
- Entering into new contract or grants;
- Providing technical support to current contractors or grantees;
- Non-urgent work with other agencies;
- Processing applications for programs like SNAP, TANF, Social Security, and other benefits.
- 211/Pikes Peak United Way
- Colorado Springs Utilities can help customers with a payment extension or find programs to help with their utility bill.
- Home Front Military Network works year-round to assist service members, Veterans, and families. They offer comprehensive case management, emergency financial assistance on a case-by-case basis, and connections to local resources, including behavioral health resources. Follow the link to connect directly to HFMN’s case management team.
- Donate to a local foodbank, like Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado.
- If you’re a local business, consider offering discounts to those impacted like military members and their families
- Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits and services be affected? Medicare and Medicaid are funded independently from appropriations and benefits will continue, assuming a shutdown lasts less than three months. Most services will continue with minimal interruption. Medicare enrollees will still be covered for medical appointments, hospital visits, and prescription drugs.
- What happens to Social Security? Recipients of Social Security will continue to receive checks throughout the shutdown; the program is funded by payroll tax and as such is unaffected by appropriations. Benefit verification and card issuance will be suspended.
- What happens to Veterans’ services? All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain operational, and the VA will continue to process Veterans’ benefits, such as health care and pensions.
- How is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) impacted? SNAP benefits can continue for the first 30 days of a government shutdown. After that, the USDA cannot issue payments. Additionally, merchants cannot renew EBT licenses, so stores with expired licenses cannot accept SNAP benefits.
- How is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Funding impacted? During shutdowns, states are typically asked to front the money for formula grant programs, including TANF, which can lead to service disruptions that vary by state.
- Will the IRS still function? During government shutdowns, the IRS cannot perform routine duties such as verifying income or Social Security numbers. The 2013 shutdown created a backlog of 1.2 million verification requests, delayed mortgage and other loan approvals, and postponed billions of dollars in tax refunds.
- Will mail still arrive? Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is mainly funded through postage product sales operations will not be affected by a shutdown.
- Will passport services be affected? Federal passport services aren’t expected to be impacted by a shutdown because they are funded by fees (vs. appropriations). In a prolonged shutdown, passports and visa issuance could be slowed.
- Is air travel impacted? Although air traffic control is considered an essential service, travelers felt the effects of the 2018 shutdown when unpaid TSA agents chose not to report to work, causing security checkpoint closures and delays at major airports.
- Will border enforcement continue? As an essential department, US Border Patrol agents will remain on duty during a government shutdown; Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will also continue to operate, albeit without pay.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
SNAP Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income households purchase food. Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards are used to receive the monthly benefit and can be used similar to debit cards at authorized retail food stores.
Applicants are encouraged to create an account at Colorado PEAK to maximize the services available online. To see if you qualify, complete this pre-screening tool on the Colorado PEAK website (Note: This tool is not an application for SNAP). For more detailed information on the eligibility, application, documentation for the SNAP visit https://cdhs.colorado.gov/snap.
SNAP Benefits During a Government Shutdown
At this time, it is anticipated that SNAP benefits will be disbursed normally. Should the shutdown be prolonged, there may be impacts, but no immediate disruptions are expected.
Double Up Food Bucks Colorado
When customers spend their SNAP benefits on their EBT card at participating farmers markets or select retailers, those food benefits will be matched dollar for dollar to be put toward Colorado-grown, fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per visit. For locations where Double Up Food Bucks is available, visit the website at https://doubleupcolorado.org/.
If you do not qualify for SNAP, there are other resources including:
- Care and Share, (719) 528-1247
- Pikes Peak United Way, 2-1-1
- Colorado 2-1-1
Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado is not distributing to individuals but is distributing food and food boxes to partner agencies. Click on FIND FOOD on the Care and Share website to find a pantry near you. Please call to confirm before visiting a site.
WIC Benefits
El Paso County Public Health’s WIC (Women Infants and Children) is here for you with supplemental food assistance, information on healthy eating, breastfeeding support and community referrals. WIC is funded through a federal grant. It supports eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5. Any caregiver can apply for WIC on behalf of eligible children. We are currently serving clients and taking new referrals. Please call 719-578-3199, Option 6 to make an appointment.
WIC Benefits During a Federal Government Shutdown
In the event of a federal government shutdown, the El Paso County WIC program will remain open. Clients are encouraged to attend regular appointments. Supplemental food assistance (eWIC), including formula, will be available for the month of October.
Colorado WIC will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as needed here: www.coloradowic.gov/alerts.
MILITARY & VETERANS RESOURCES
Active Military
Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is dedicated to improving the lives of our Military and Veteran communities by providing support and services in a variety of areas. Available programs include:
- Health and Wellness
- Military, Veteran, and Family Services
- Transition and Employment
Veterans
Veterans benefits continue uninterrupted during a government shutdown, including healthcare and pensions. The El Paso County Division of Veterans Services employees remain on the job, assisting Veterans and their families access benefits.
Most VA operations will continue without interruption if there is a shutdown. Health care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and mandatory benefit payments to Veterans are funded through an advance appropriation. In addition, certain programs meet legal requirements to continue performing their designated duties and are considered “excepted.” These include benefits processing at the Veterans Benefits Administration; interments through the National Cemetery Administration; and certain information technology functions at the Office of Information and Technology. More details on VA’s Contingency Plan for a potential lapse in appropriations can be found here.
Additional Resources
- Home Front Military Network: https://homefrontmilitarynetwork.org/
- Air Force Aid Society: https://afas.org/
- Army Emergency Relief: https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/
- Coast Guard Mutual Assistance: https://www.cgmahq.org/
- Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: https://www.nmcrs.org/
- Operation Homefront: https://operationhomefront.org/cfa-eligibility/