Local DHS offices will close, 1,500 workers to be furloughed if shutdown continues for another week

October 31, 2025 4:47 pm


DHS Director Janet Mann, right, speaks during an Oct. 31 press conference, as Division of County Operations Director Mary Franklin stands to her right.

Despite a federal judge on Friday ordering the Trump administration to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the continuing federal government shutdown, the Arkansas Department of Human Services is still bracing for interruptions to the program, which gives food benefits to more than 240,000 Arkansans.

Even if SNAP funding keeps flowing next week, several other federally funded programs at DHS could be suspended due to the shutdown, including the Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) program and some federal block grant funding for community organizations. DHS Director Janet Mann said Friday that the agency must furlough 34 employees if a resolution isn’t reached before this weekend.

If the shutdown continues through the end of next week, Mann warned, another 1,500 Arkansas DHS workers could be furloughed and local DHS offices would close in every county in the state.

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“We are aware that at least one federal judge and maybe two federal judges have recently ordered the federal government to pay the benefits out of emergency funds. This order has just come down, and we will await guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services to determine if and how it impacts our state,” Mann said. “At this time, we are continuing to advise our beneficiaries to prepare for a disruption or delay in SNAP benefits, and we will provide additional guidance as soon as we receive it.”

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https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2025/10/31/local-dhs-offices-will-close-1500-workers-to-be-furloughed-if-shutdown-continues-for-another-week