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Information for Vermonters on SNAP Benefits During the Government Shutdown
Mullen, Matthew
Mullen, Matthew
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Attribution 4.0 International
Abstract
During the 2025 federal government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit disruptions created significant uncertainty for low-income and rural Vermonters who rely on these benefits for food security. Windham County, Vermont—characterized by rural geography, limited transportation infrastructure, and a high burden of chronic disease—was particularly vulnerable to lapses in timely and accurate information. This community health improvement project, conducted at Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital, aimed to address gaps in patient understanding of SNAP benefit status, contingency planning, and local food access resources during the shutdown period.
Using a mixed-methods, community-informed approach, the project incorporated interviews with local stakeholders, including food pantry leadership and a state legislator, alongside review of state and federal guidance. Based on these insights, a plain-language, one-page SNAP information handout was developed and disseminated in both print and digital formats through clinical settings and community food shelves. The intervention emphasized benefit timing, emergency funding contingencies, and connections to local food resources.
Initial outcomes included reduced patient confusion, improved staff confidence in counseling patients on food insecurity, and strengthened coordination between clinical, community, and state-level partners. This project highlights the critical role of primary care settings in addressing social determinants of health during policy disruptions and demonstrates how rapid, low-cost informational interventions can mitigate food insecurity–related health risks in rural communities.
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2026-03-13
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Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital