The ongoing federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, now threatens to interrupt SNAP payments for millions of Americans starting in November.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has warned that unless Congress restores funding, it cannot guarantee the full disbursement of benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which currently supports over 42 million low-income individuals and families across the country.
Federal operations have slowed significantly across multiple agencies, and the effects are beginning to reach essential programs. SNAP is among those programs facing potential funding constraints if the shutdown continues into the coming weeks without resolution.
States Brace For Impact As USDA Signals Possible Suspension
In an official letter dated October 10, USDA SNAP development director Sasha Gersten-Paal advised state agencies that without a federal budget resolution, November’s SNAP payments may not be fully guaranteed. The warning followed weeks of stalled negotiations between President Donald Trump and Congress, which failed to produce a budget deal before the start of the fiscal year on October 1.
States like North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Minnesota have already started notifying SNAP recipients of the uncertainty. One of the immediate consequences of the budget impasse is the temporary suspension of data transmission from state agencies to Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) providers. These transmissions are critical for issuing benefits each month. The USDA has now halted them “until further notice.”
At the same time, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is working on a contingency plan. While the details remain vague, the objective is to keep the SNAP program running during a prolonged shutdown. Still, state-level administrators, such as North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), say they are in a difficult position—trying to assess community needs without clarity on future funding.
According to Marca, the USDA has not disclosed how long its limited multi-year funds might sustain operations, nor has it confirmed whether it could replicate past emergency measures used during previous shutdowns.
Federal Stalemate Deepens, Families Left In Limbo
The government shutdown has already closed doors at multiple federal agencies, halted services, and furloughed thousands of public employees. In places like Los Angeles and Washington D.C., federal buildings remain shuttered and landmarks like the Washington Monument are closed to visitors. Thousands of essential government workers continue without pay.
But while tourists face inconvenience, the consequences for low-income families are potentially devastating. For millions, SNAP is not a luxury—it is their only means of acquiring groceries. It covers staple goods like milk, bread, and vegetables, allowing families to survive in areas already grappling with food insecurity.
If the shutdown continues, November could bring significant hardship. For many households, SNAP benefits cover nearly all of their monthly grocery expenses. A reduction—or worse, a total halt—in these benefits could trigger a rise in food bank demand, child hunger, and economic stress in vulnerable communities.
