The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) will issue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the month of February early due to the partial federal government shutdown.

SNAP benefits will be issued on January 19 for the month of February to nearly 585,000 Indiana residents.

Normally, SNAP benefits are issued according to an alphabetical schedule over a 19 day period throughout the month.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service directed states to issue February benefits early to ensure residents receive benefits despite the government shutdown.

Because the benefits will be issued early, there will be no additional SNAP benefits during the month of February.

The FSSA’s Division of Family Resources says that any Indiana resident, who has a pending application, benefits re-determination, or reported change to their case, must submit all requested documents no later than January 14 to receive February benefits if eligible.

Any cases or applications in progress after January 18 may not receive February benefits.