Because of the federal government shutdown, the deadline for people who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has changed.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has directed states to issue February’s SNAP benefits early. They will be issued by Jan. 20.
SNAP recipients whose eligibility is due for recertification at the end of January need to submit required documents immediately to receive food benefits for February.
SNAP recipients must submit recertification paperwork to the La Plata County Department of Human Services no later than 5 p.m. on Monday to ensure they receive February benefits on the expedited timeframe.
Recertification paperwork can be submitted in person between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday at the Department of Human Services, at 10 Burnett Court in Durango. This paperwork can also be turned in 24 hours a day in the drop box outside of the building or via fax at (970) 382-6151.
In La Plata County, more than 1,850 households receive SNAP each month. La Plata County residents receive more than $440,000 per month in SNAP benefits.
