Federal Shutdown Threatens Local Safety Nets in Sullivan County, Commissioner Warns

The federal government remains closed today amid a bitter impasse on Capitol Hill over competing congressional spending bills—one backed by each party. The stalemate is already raising concerns here at home.

In Sullivan County, local officials are monitoring the situation closely. John Liddle, commissioner of Health and Family Services, says while there’s been little immediate impact so far, a prolonged shutdown could have serious consequences for public health and social services.

“Our eyes are more on how long this is going to last,” Liddle said. “If we get through the end of October without a resolution, then the impacts can become pretty significant.”

Liddle oversees the county’s public health, social services, and mental health divisions. He said programs most vulnerable to funding interruptions include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). SNAP benefits are funded through the end of October, but November payments remain uncertain. Meanwhile, HEAP—which typically starts November 1—has no authorized funding until Congress passes a spending bill.

“That’s the one that really concerns me most as we start to head into winter weather,” Liddle said.

While many county services rely primarily on state and local funding and will remain open, Liddle warned that low-income residents could feel the effects first if federal benefits lapse.

“Unfortunately, the poorest people are going to be the ones who suffer the strongest impact first,” he said.

To fill potential gaps, Sullivan County is coordinating with local charities and service providers through a collaborative effort called the United Sullivan Project, connecting residents with resources from groups like Catholic Charities, Action Toward Independence, and the Federation for the Homeless.

Still, Liddle acknowledged that those nonprofits face their own financial pressures. “It’s a stressful and unstable time to say the least for funding,” he said.

Looking ahead, Liddle emphasized the importance of volunteerism and community support to strengthen local safety nets. “Anything folks can do to support their local food pantries—whether it’s volunteering, donating time, food, or cash—will help if federal money doesn’t come our way,” he said.

As uncertainty continues in Washington, Liddle’s advice for residents is simple: stay connected.

“We don’t want to see anybody who’s entitled to benefits lose access because of a lack of information,” he said. “Follow the county government on social media, listen to local radio, read local newspapers, and stay in touch with us.”

Image: The United States Capitol. Greg Willis (Creative Commons License)