Millions at risk of missing food assistance
Millions of Americans who depend on food stamps could see their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits delayed or halted in November if the federal government shutdown continues. Several states — including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and Texas — have issued public warnings that monthly benefits might not be paid on time.
A notice from Pennsylvania’s official website makes the situation clear:
“Starting October 16, SNAP benefits will not be paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are released to PA.”
These alerts came shortly after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees SNAP, sent a letter to all state agencies on October 10, warning that without additional federal funding, there would be “insufficient funds” to issue full November benefits.
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Federal funding problems are behind the warning
The current threat to SNAP stems from the lapse in federal appropriations after Congress failed to reach an agreement to extend government funding at the start of October 2025. Because SNAP is a federally funded program, states rely on money from the USDA to load monthly benefits onto recipients’ Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
Without new funding, the USDA has told states to pause their normal payment process, which could prevent benefits from being issued at the start of November.
The White House referred questions to the USDA, which declined to comment further. Anti-hunger organisations, however, are already sounding the alarm about what could happen if funding isn’t restored soon.
“These are, for the most part, working individuals who still are living paycheck to paycheck,” said Gina Plata-Niño, interim director for SNAP at the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). “Delaying their food benefits will have devastating effects.”
How SNAP normally works
SNAP helps more than 40 million Americans afford groceries each month. On average, recipients receive about $187 per person — or roughly $6 per day — to spend on essential food items like produce, meat, and dairy.
Although SNAP is a federal program, it’s managed by individual states, which decide when to distribute payments. Each month, states send electronic data files containing recipient information to EBT vendors, who then load the benefits onto recipients’ cards.
This system depends on federal funds being available and distributed on time. According to Plata-Niño, “EBT processors need that data and funding early enough so that when a family uses their card at a grocery store, the money is actually there for the retailer to process.”
Because of the USDA’s directive to hold off on sending those files “until further notice,” states now face a major disruption that could delay payments across the country.
Contingency funds could help — But may not be used
The USDA does have a contingency reserve that can be used in emergencies. According to FRAC, the fund stood at around $6 billion earlier in the Biden administration. These multiyear contingency funds are designed to cover state administrative costs and potentially participant benefits if a funding lapse occurs midyear.
However, the USDA has not confirmed whether it will use these funds to ensure November SNAP payments.
During the 2018 and 2019 government shutdowns, the agency used its contingency resources to pay benefits early — preventing millions from going hungry. But this time, the USDA has not yet taken similar action.
“They have the money, so it really is a policy choice,” Plata-Niño said.
Can states step in?
Some state officials are exploring options to use state-level emergency funds to keep SNAP payments going if federal funds remain frozen. But covering the cost would be a heavy lift — states would need tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars each month to replace federal funding temporarily.
Even if states step in, there’s no guarantee they’ll be reimbursed later. Peter Hadler, deputy commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Social Services, told lawmakers that he doesn’t expect the federal government to repay any emergency state spending on SNAP.
What’s next for SNAP recipients
For now, SNAP beneficiaries are advised to budget cautiously and stay alert for updates from their state human services offices. If the government shutdown continues into November, millions of households may find their food benefits delayed indefinitely.
“Letting people go hungry is a choice — and it’s not a good one,” said Deb Powers, a 66-year-old Massachusetts SNAP recipient.
As the political standoff in Washington continues, the nation’s most vulnerable families could soon face one of the harshest consequences: empty dinner tables.
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