Shutdown could halt SNAP benefits for millions, states say
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Bilingual sign on door of frozen food aisle of a Walgreens in Queens, New York. Photo: Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Millions of families could go without food aid next month, states have begun warning, as the government shutdown threatens November's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
The big picture: As the funding lapse drags on with no sign of a deal to reopen the government, the impact is beginning to reach the programs serving the country's most vulnerable families.
- State agencies were already gearing up for sweeping Nov. 1 changes to SNAP, including expanded work requirements, under the One Big Beautiful Bill.
- SNAP is the nation's largest domestic food-assistance program.
Driving the news: Pennsylvania is one of the states that cautioned November 2025 benefits would not be paid.
- In a pointed alert, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services said that "Because Republicans in Washington D.C., failed to pass a federal budget, causing the federal government shutdown, November 2025 SNAP benefits cannot be paid."
- Starting Oct. 16, the state said, SNAP benefits would not be distributed until the shutdown ended and funds were released.
- Residents who need immediate food assistance were urged to call 211 or seek community resources.
Context: An administration official said in a letter to state agencies earlier this month that there would be "insufficient funds" to pay full November benefits for some 42 million people.
- The letter directed states not to start the process of distributing benefits to SNAP recipients' electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, cards for November "until further notice," Axios' Andrew Solender reported.
On Saturday, West Virginia's Department of Human Services said in a statement it was "very likely" the shutdown would delay November benefits if Congress did not find a way to reopen the government "in the coming days."
- The post, shared to Facebook, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service had directed the state to delay October benefits approved on or after Oct. 16.
- The Texas Health and Human Services Commission notified Texans that SNAP benefits for November would not be issued if the shutdown continues past next Monday, Oct. 27.
What they're saying: "We're going to run out of money in two weeks," Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told reporters last week.
- "So you're talking about millions and millions of vulnerable families, of hungry families that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown."
Flashback: During the last government shutdown, the USDA paid February SNAP benefits early, leaving low-income participants experiencing a longer-than-usual gap in receiving their safety net benefits.
- Earlier this month, Axios first reported that the White House would use funding from tariff revenue as a temporary fix to keep the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, also known as WIC, afloat during the lapse.
Go deeper: "Stretched to the breaking point": SNAP cuts spook food banks
