Federal shutdown impacts on Washington state government
Update, Nov. 12: Congress passed and the president signed spending legislation to reopen the federal government on Nov. 12, 2025.
Information shared during the shutdown is included below for reference.
Select a section
Dept. of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
Update, Nov. 12: Congress passed and the president signed spending legislation to reopen the government on Nov. 12, 2025. DSHS is issuing full November food and cash benefits to people in Washington state on their usual dates.
- Partial federal government shutdown
- Governor Ferguson statement on November SNAP benefits beginning to flow to Washington households (Nov. 7)
- Gov. Ferguson moves $2.2 million per week to support food banks ahead of federal SNAP cutoff (Oct. 28)
Dept. of Health (DOH)
- Federal government shutdown (updated FAQ)
- Dept. of Health: Federal shutdown jeopardizes critical support for infants, children, and pregnant people (Oct.1)
Employment Security Dept. (ESD)
Food bank resources
Find a local food bank or pantry:
- Food Access Network – Northwest Harvest
- Access Food Near You | Washington State Department of Agriculture or call 360-725-5640.
- 211 Washington map of food pantries/banks or call 211, a free, confidential service that helps connect people with resources.
- Your local county may have more comprehensive lists of food resources.