Jefferson County has declared an emergency disaster in response to delays in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This situation is expected to have significant health and economic impacts on residents, particularly for those already facing financial difficulties, including federal workers affected by the ongoing shutdown.
The delays could force families to reallocate funds typically used for rent and utilities towards food, which increases the risks of eviction, debt, and reliance on high-interest loans. These adverse effects are likely to persist even after federal operations and benefit payments resume, especially for vulnerable populations such as older adults, individuals with disabilities, and families with children.
“Withholding food from children, the elderly, and other vulnerable community members is cruel,” said Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper. “That’s not who we are in Jefferson County. Nobody should go hungry or bear the mental stress of not knowing where their next meal will come from. This is an emergency. We are taking urgent action to help 38,000 Jeffco residents on SNAP – 13,000 of whom are children.”
The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners has also called on Governor Polis to declare a statewide emergency to access additional resources for residents during this uncertain time. The Emergency Operations Center is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating assistance for residents and food pantries.
Since early November, Jefferson County has allocated $250,000 in local funding to address the rising food demand and is collaborating with community partners to minimize food waste, expand distribution efforts, and disseminate important information across the county.
Source: Press Release
