States to distribute food stamps early

The Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, in order to comply with restraints from the partial government shutdown, will distribute February’s food stamp benefits early.

On Jan. 20, recipients in states that have filed for early distribution will receive their February benefits rather than at the beginning of the month. The FNS cautions that those who receive the money early from the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program must budget accordingly, as they will not receive any additional benefits in February.