Federal shutdown resources for Washington’s workforce system

Updated Nov. 10, 2025

Please note the following resources as the federal government shutdown continues. Local workforce development area staff and partners are encouraged to check this page for updates. Please contact Communications Manager Andrew Lenderman with questions.

Governor Ferguson moves $2.2 million per week to support food banks ahead of federal SNAP cutoff

Please click here for the latest updates on SNAP from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services.
Individuals looking for additional help, or to share resources, should reach out to their local food bank. More help locating food resources is available from the Washington Department of Agriculture online, or by phone at 360-725-5640. Washington 211 is a free, confidential service that helps connect people with resources.
This Washington 211 map also lists food pantries.

WA Department of Health: Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Updates

As of Nov. 6, Washington State WIC will provide food benefits through early December.
Due to the federal government shutdown, some WIC offices may temporarily close. For now, customers are encourgaed to use their benefits as usual. If customers have an appointment or need help, they may call the WIC office or check their website to see if they are open. Use the “WIC Clinic Locator” to find local agencies, phone numbers, and other details. Learn more about WIC services and updates here.
Additional federal shutdown updates on Department of Health programs are listed here.

WA Department of Social and Health Services benefits

Update: DSHS has worked hard to get benefits out as quickly as possible. Hundreds of thousands of Washington families have received November food benefits. Everyone who gets SNAP benefits should check the status of their cards by calling the number on the back of their card. If funds are available, people can use them. We will provide more updates as we have them.
People can use these benefits as soon as they are loaded onto EBT cards. To confirm benefits have been loaded to EBT cards, we encourage households to use the ebtEDGE or MyWABenefits apps or call the phone number on the back of their EBT cards.
We are working to notify households as soon as possible that their full November food benefits are on the way. We are processing new applications for food benefits that were submitted after Oct. 16, 2025, as quickly as possible. Meantime, we recommend customers take steps now to protect their incoming benefits and their personal information by securing their EBT cards through the ebtEDGE app or at ebtEDGE.com.
We are relieved we can issue full November food assistance benefits for people in Washington state even though the federal government shutdown continues. While we cannot predict what might happen in December, we will share information as soon as it is available. Click here for more information.
The Division of Disability Determination Services continues to process all disability claim types with support of state funding during a federal funding lapse. For any questions about Social Security Administration benefit payments, please visit ssa.gov for updated information during the federal government shutdown.

Employment Security Department

The Employment Security Department, as part of a 90-day pilot, is adjusting unemployment benefits call center hours to focus on processing the growing number of claims and get customers paid more quickly.
Learn more about resources for impacted workers.

Department of Financial Institutions

Office of Financial Management

This web page from the state Office of Financial Management provides information from across the executive branch: Federal shutdown impacts on Washington state government – Office of Financial Management

WA State Office of Equity

These community, nonprofit and other resources for food assistance and services have been assembled by the Washington State Office of Equity.

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