The U.S. government shutdown is beginning to cast a long shadow over food security for millions of Americans. While the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) remains funded through October, officials warn that the program—supporting one in eight people nationwide—could run out of money if the shutdown extends into November.
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, has long been a central part of the U.S. social safety net. But because it relies on annual congressional appropriations, the current political standoff in Washington is creating fresh uncertainty about how long the aid can continue uninterrupted.
A Lifeline for One in Eight Americans
SNAP provides electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that help low-income households purchase groceries. In the 2024 fiscal year, the program cost more than $100 billion, offering an average of $187 per month to roughly 41.7 million people.
While other safety-net programs like Social Security and Medicaid are insulated from shutdown effects, SNAP depends on ongoing federal budget approval. That vulnerability has raised alarms among state agencies and anti-poverty advocates as the shutdown stretches past its first month.
“The question marks are trending in a bad direction for November,” said Carolyn Vega, associate director of policy analysis at Share Our Strength, a national anti-hunger organization.
Federal Warnings to States
On October 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) instructed state agencies not to transmit certain files to contractors responsible for processing EBT payments for November. The warning effectively signaled that funding beyond October was uncertain unless Congress reaches a new spending agreement.
Different states send payment data at varying times of the month, meaning the shutdown’s impact could hit households unevenly. For now, October benefits remain secure, but November payments are increasingly in doubt.
If the shutdown continues, millions of families may face delayed or canceled benefits, creating potential ripple effects in grocery stores and local economies that rely heavily on federal food aid spending.
Funding Shortfalls and Fiscal Challenges
The easiest way to restore SNAP’s long-term funding would be for lawmakers to end the shutdown. Short of that, states or federal agencies would need to find billions in temporary funds to keep the program operational.
SNAP costs roughly $8 billion per month—far exceeding smaller nutrition programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which recently received $300 million in emergency funding from the Trump administration to stay afloat.
Replicating that kind of stopgap measure for SNAP would require far more money and coordination than most states can afford.
Peter Hadler, deputy commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Social Services, told state lawmakers that even if states cover the costs temporarily, the federal government is unlikely to reimburse them later. He also cautioned that without federal funding, the EBT system could shut down entirely at the retail level—preventing even those with existing balances from using their cards.
State-Level Alarm and Economic Concerns
New Mexico, where more than one in five residents depends on SNAP, faces one of the highest risks. The program injects roughly $90 million monthly into the state’s economy, and any disruption could be devastating.
“I think it’s direct harm to New Mexicans, to our communities and to our economy that is unprecedented,” said state Rep. Nathan Small, a Democrat and chair of New Mexico’s main budget committee.
Charles Sallee, director of the state legislature’s budget and accountability office, said his office is still verifying whether the warnings are logistical or part of broader federal negotiations. “We’re following up to verify whether food stamps are really out of money or if this is just a tactic that the administration is playing in the overall negotiation,” Sallee told lawmakers.
In Minnesota, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families directed local counties and tribal governments to pause new SNAP applications after Wednesday. The state plans to notify current recipients by October 21 that benefits for November may not be issued unless the shutdown ends.
“An interruption in receiving food assistance can be very disruptive—even dire—for the lives of Minnesota’s families,” said Tikki Brown, the agency’s commissioner.
Policy Changes Add to SNAP Uncertainty
The shutdown coincides with new federal rules that tighten eligibility for food aid. Under a policy and tax law passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in July, several key exemptions have been removed.
Adults with children aged 14 to 17 must now meet work requirements to continue receiving benefits. The same applies to older recipients between 55 and 64, who previously were exempt. These changes took effect this month and could lead to benefit losses beginning in January.
Additional cost shifts will come in the years ahead. Starting in October 2026, states will be required to cover three-fourths of SNAP’s administrative expenses. By 2027, states with higher benefit error rates will also be responsible for paying part of the program’s direct costs.
Even if Congress reaches a deal to end the shutdown, those long-term structural changes will remain unless lawmakers amend the legislation.
Economic Ripple Effects of a Shutdown on Food Aid
Economists and food policy experts warn that halting SNAP could have a cascading effect on the broader economy. The program injects billions into local grocery markets, helping sustain retail jobs and stabilize food demand during economic downturns.
According to the USDA, every dollar in SNAP spending generates roughly $1.50 in economic activity. A sudden freeze would not only increase food insecurity but also reduce consumer spending at thousands of supermarkets and small stores nationwide.
Local food banks and charities, already stretched thin, say they would struggle to fill the gap if federal aid stops. “We can’t replace the scale of a program like SNAP,” Vega said. “It’s a backbone of the national food security system.”
A Growing Urgency in Washington
As the budget impasse continues, pressure is mounting on Congress and the White House to reach a compromise. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have acknowledged the growing humanitarian and economic risks of prolonged gridlock.
But despite repeated calls from governors, advocacy groups, and state officials, there has been little public progress toward a funding deal. Until then, millions of Americans—many of them children, seniors, and working families—remain caught in uncertainty.
The longer the shutdown continues, the more likely it is that the country’s largest food assistance program will face delays or cutoffs, deepening the crisis for those who rely on it most.
Source: AP News – Food assistance is safe through October, but it may be at risk if the shutdown continues
