Shutdown Impact: February SNAP Benefits to Be Distributed Early

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

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OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

Despite the shutdown, USDA announced it would be able to fully fund February SNAP benefits, however, they all must be distributed and enabled on every recipients’ card by this Sunday, January 20

By: Hannah Walker, Senior Director, Technology and Nutrition Policy, Food Marketing Institute <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/photos-for-staff-use/center-aisle-carts-baskets/20151208-fmi-632-web.tmb-medium.jpg?sfvrsn=9bf9a6f_2" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="20151208-FMI-632-WEB" title="20151208-FMI-632-WEB" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />As the partial federal government shutdown approaches the one-month mark, FMI continues to evaluate the impact on the operations of our member companies. Due to the “lapse in appropriations” that led to the partial shutdown, many of the federal regulatory agencies lack the funds to implement key programs that are important to improving access to healthy food across the country, including USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP). Despite the shutdown, USDA <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2019/01/08/usda-announces-plan-protect-snap-participants-access-snap-february">announced</a> it would be able to fully fund February SNAP benefits, however, they all must be distributed and enabled on every recipients’ card by this Sunday, January 20. States have been sharing their distribution plans with FNS to ensure that all states are set to distribute the benefits ahead of the Sunday deadline. As our members prepare for the change in the benefits distribution schedule, we have been collecting the states’ various distribution plans on our <a href="https://www.fmi.org/government-shutdown-resources">shutdown resources page</a> in addition to other helpful resources, such as a <a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/gr/fns-qa-on-february-snap-issuance.pdf?sfvrsn=be284c6e_2">Q&A document from FNS</a>. Our site also has suggested USDA messaging for retailers to use in their stores to explain the early issuance. It is also important that SNAP recipients understand that these late January benefits are their regular February benefits; there will not be additional benefits distributed in February. We certainly hope that our leaders can work toward an agreement soon to reopen the government, but we will continue to serve as a resource for our members that are affected by the shutdown. Please do not hesitate to reach out to <a href="mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">Hannah Walker</a> with any questions or concerns.

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.