Dear friends and neighbors,
I know that many of you are growing increasingly concerned over the government shutdown, its impact on critical services and employment, as well as additional anticipated impacts in the coming days.
Although the shutdown is a federal issue, I want to assure you that I am doing all I can as your state representative to urge our congressional delegation towards a solution. My staff and I are engaged daily with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Nick Begich to resolve issues that we can and connect constituents directly with congressional staff when we cannot. If you have any specific concerns you would like to voice, please contact me using the information below. I am more than happy to pass your concerns along or connect you with our congressional delegation for a conversation.
Excluding military personnel, our state is home to more than 15,000 federal employees.
The effects of a federal government shutdown on Alaskans are far reaching, from employee furloughs to disruptions in vessel documentation processing, as well as potentially losing access to federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and heating assistance.
Certainly, with around 70,000 Alaskans enrolled in the program, the recent announcement that the November SNAP benefits will not be paid out is very alarming.
Please type bit.ly/3Lanp26 into your web browser to view a useful new FAQ on SNAP from the Division of Public Assistance (DPA). Please type bit.ly/47vCId2 into your web browser for any updates and additional information on SNAP on DPA’s website.
In Cordova as a stop gap measure, alternative food assistance programs are available through the Native Village of Eyak (NVE). NVE runs two different programs through USDA that will continue to be funded beyond Nov.1. For more information please type
old.eyak-nsn.gov/food-bank/ into your web browser. This is a good time for us to come together as a community. If you have the means, please consider donating to the food bank to help a neighbor in need.
As I write this, the House is still in recess. The hope from my federal counterparts is that an agreement to reopen the government will be reached by mid-to-late next week. Sen. Murkowski has co-sponsored the “Keep SNAP Funded Act” which would preserve SNAP payments during the shutdown; however, the scuttlebutt on Capitol Hill is that congressional leadership and the White House will focus on FY26 appropriations and avoid one-off fixes. As a result, it’s widely believed the bill is DOA.
Absent a way out of this mess (an appropriation bill passing Congress), here is my understanding of how various programs administered through the Alaska Department of Health will be affected by a continued shutdown. This is the best information I have currently, but please keep in mind that it’s subject to change with federal guidance:
- Heating Assistance: At this time, DPA is utilizing carryover funds from the federal FY2025 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) award to maintain operations while FY2026 funds remain on hold due to the shutdown. Based on current approval trends and benefit levels, these carryover funds are projected to be fully exhausted by mid-November. To manage the available resources responsibly, DPA has implemented an operational plan to address priority cases.
- Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program remains currently open and operational. USDA has been utilizing emergency powers to shift federal tariff revenue over to supplement budgetary shortfalls. WIC is open for pregnant and nursing mothers, infants and children under 5. The income threshold for WIC is generally higher than SNAP.
- Medicaid is currently unaffected by federal shutdown. Application processing and vendor payments continue as normal.
- Senior Benefits provides small sums of cash assistance between $125-$250/month to impoverished seniors. This program will continue to operate uninterrupted. Please note the current income requirements are slightly more stringent than SNAP.
- General Relief General Relief Assistance (GRA) is funding from the state that helps Alaskans facing emergencies meet their basic needs when they do not qualify for other kinds of help. Basic needs include things like a place to live, utilities (like gas and electricity), food, and clothes. Please note that GRA has an extremely low-income threshold and most SNAP recipients will not qualify.
For more information on how to apply for these programs or their eligibility thresholds, please contact my office directly or visit DPA’s website above.
Please know that I am always in your corner. Although I don’t have a direct voice or a vote in ending the government shutdown, I am fiercely representing your interests to our congressional delegation.
On a final note, I will be sending a newsletter to your mailbox in a few weeks with a detailed recap of last session, the recent special session, as well as what to expect next year.
As always, remember that I work for you. Please feel free to reach out on any issues that are important to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Rep. Louise Stutes
Proudly Serving Kodiak, Cordova, and Seward
907-465-3271
