Millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, are at risk of losing access to vital food aid as the federal government shutdown continues into its fifth week, with no immediate resolution in sight.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it cannot distribute November SNAP benefits, leaving more than 42 million low-income individuals and families vulnerable to food insecurity. The USDA says it has exhausted its contingency funds and, unlike previous shutdowns, the federal agency is not permitting states to use emergency reserves to cover benefits. Most SNAP beneficiaries will first feel the impact beginning Saturday, November 1, but the timing varies depending on how states distribute benefits.
Congressional Deadlock
This funding crisis was triggered by a legislative stalemate, with Senate Democrats and Republicans unable to agree on appropriations for fiscal year 2026. While some lawmakers have proposed standalone bills that would allow SNAP benefits to continue during the shutdown, such measures have not been brought to a vote. Congressional infighting and finger-pointing over health policy and budget priorities have left millions waiting for a solution.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) explicitly dismissed any standalone bills aimed at paying federal workers or funding assistance programs during the ongoing government shutdown. Johnson emphasized that the House will not consider separate measures to address expiring aid programs, including SNAP, until there is a broader agreement to reopen the government.
”We voted Sept. 19 to fund every one of those priorities, and every Democrat in the House except one voted to not fund them,” Johnson said during a press conference Tuesday. “The Democrats are playing games. They put a few of the one-off bills on the floor, as you’ve seen in the last week or so. They put a bill to pay the troops, pay essential workers, and Democrats voted it down.”
Families and Food Banks Face Strain
For those who depend on SNAP for essential nutrition, the halt could mean choosing between food, rent, medicine, or utilities. Food banks and charities across the country are bracing for a surge in demand but face their own limits as federal funding remains stalled. Some states have attempted to provide temporary aid with state resources, but there is no guarantee for reimbursement from the federal government, amplifying concerns about sustaining food assistance.
What Families Should Know
Existing SNAP balances on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards from previous months can still be used past October, but new benefits for November will not be loaded until Congress resolves the shutdown. State agencies and organizations recommend affected families seek help from local food banks, community pantries, or charitable meal programs if SNAP benefits run out.
Looking Ahead
Advocates warn the current impasse marks the first time in more than sixty years that SNAP benefits could be totally interrupted. Until lawmakers agree on a resolution or pass dedicated SNAP funding, millions of Americans face unprecedented uncertainty about how they will feed themselves in the coming weeks.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Food Stamp Act into law in 1964. The name was officially changed to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2008 to reduce the stigma associated with receiving public assistance. The current government shutdown ranks as the second-longest in U.S. history. Thousands of federal workers have missed paychecks, and millions of vulnerable Americans face the imminent risk of losing funding for vital assistance programs within days.
