SNAP Benefits Cancelled Due to Government Shutdown
The federal government shutdown was issued on October 1, 2025, and as the days continue to pass, there are increasing concerns about furloughed employees, missed paychecks, and limited government program activity. Another great concern for the American people is the shutdown of SNAP benefits for families who rely on this program to feed their families.
2025 Government Shutdown
The U.S. government shut down on October 1, 2025, after lawmakers failed to come to an agreement to resolve the budget deadlock related to federal spending. Already, the shutdown has left more than 750,000 employees on unpaid leave. It has also put a hold on many important government programs, including SNAP.
Second-Longest Shutdown in History
The 2025 shutdown marks the second-longest in history, beat only by the 2018-2019 shutdown, which lasted 35 days. The longer shutdowns persist, the more program funding and federal employees are impacted.
What is SNAP?
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federal program that provides monthly benefits to low-income individuals to help buy groceries. It was formerly known as the food stamp program and aims to help low-income families afford nutritious and necessary food.
Benefits on Hold
As of November 1, all SNAP benefits will be put on hold, and more than 42 million Americans who use these benefits will not receive them as a result of the government being shutdown.
Message from the USDA
The USDA announced on its website on October 27 that the benefits would be put on hold as of November. The message read, “Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1.”
Why?
According to the USDA, the program, run by the Trump administration, will not use the $5 billion contingency funds to keep benefits going for the program. The administration blames Democrats for not coming to agreeable terms with Republicans over the Affordable Care Act.
Contingency Funds
Democrats requested that contingency funds be used to support benefits for the month of November, however, the USDA announced that “contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits”. They explained that this funding is reserved to help people recover from things like natural disasters, such as the building Hurricane Melissa.
How Can SNAP Recipients Receive Assistance?
For the one in eight Americans who rely on SNAP benefits for groceries, they can explore other subsidized meal programs or visit food banks. Additionally, some state agencies may be able to assist.
Staying Updated
Recipients should stay up-to-date on the shutdown and can receive updates on benefits for the month of December through the USDA website. Additionally, benefits applied to EBT cards do not expire for a calendar year, so recipients can use any leftover funds they might have on their card in November, despite new benefits not being granted.
