10/28/2025
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ON SNAP BENEFITS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said that there will be no Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits issued November 1, due to the federal government shutdown. The program is federally funded and administered by the states.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) said on its website that approved participants of SNAP will not be able to collect November benefits until federal funding is released to states. The Arizona DES will still accept and process SNAP applications.
The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) stated on its website that November SNAP benefits have been paused and will be issued as soon as federal money becomes available. The HCA also stated that New Mexico is working with partners on a statewide food emergency distribution plan and will also continue accepting and processing SNAP applications.
The Utah Department of Workforce Services stated that it will not be able to issue SNAP payments in November and it will provide updates on the jobs.utah.gov website.
The Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) recommends recipients buy shelf-stable, non-perishable foods if they have remaining SNAP benefits.
“We are exploring all options for getting emergency assistance to our people who will be most affected by the lack of SNAP benefits,” said Thomas Cody, Executive Director of NDCFS.
SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, provides benefits to low-income families to purchase groceries and increase food security.
The Navajo Nation has a limited number of grocery stores and is often called a food desert. One study found that 76.7% of members of the Navajo Nation had some level of food insecurity. According to Navajo Nation Council proposed legislation, the University of Arizona Indigenous Resilience Center reported that 33% of Navajo Nation households received SNAP benefits.
Resources
The NDCFS has several programs that may be able to provide assistance based on eligibility, including the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the General Assistance Program.
Applications for the CSBG Program will be available on the NDCFS website at www.ndcfs.org beginning November 1, 2025. The federally funded program addresses community needs for emergency financial assistance for essential basic needs.
The Department of Self-Reliance (DSR) administers the Navajo Nation’s TANF. Families must have at least one eligible minor child under the age of 18 to qualify for TANF services. The DSR also administers the Navajo Nation’s General Assistance Program. For more information on these services, please contact the DSR at 866-347-2403 or (928) 810-8553 or by email at [email protected].
Navajo Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program under the Navajo Division of Health provides food, nutrition counseling and access to health services to women, infants, and children who are income eligible. There are 11 clinics on the Navajo Nation open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 1-800-307-4231 or visit https://wic.navajo-nsn.gov.
The following food banks are located on or near the Navajo Nation. Please be aware that there may be eligibility criteria and that many food banks will be affected by an increase of individuals and families seeking assistance due to the lack of SNAP benefits this coming month.
• St. Jude Food Bank in Tuba City is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact: (928) 283-6886
• St. Mary’s Food Bank serves parts of Arizona, including the Navajo Nation. More information at azfoodhelp.org.
• Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Food Bank, Chinle, Ariz. Food is available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., twice a month for recipients. Contact: (928) 674-5202
• The Community Pantry assists McKinley County and Cibola County. Must be registered. Contact: Gallup (505) 726-8068 or Grants (505) 287-5090.
• Echo Food Bank serves San Juan County, New Mexico. Contact: (505) 326-3770
• New Mexico and Utah residents may call 211 for assistance finding local resources.
There are an estimated 43 million in the United States who use SNAP, including about 887,000 in the state of Arizona; 420,000 in New Mexico; and 86,000 households in Utah.
