What to know about SNAP benefits as government shutdown continues

U.S. officers warn that SNAP advantages might be delayed subsequent month if Congress doesn’t move a brand new spending invoice.

Here is what you might want to learn about the advantages of SNAP as the federal government shutdown continues:

SNAP advantages

FILE – A buyer seems to be at a gross sales commercial at a grocery retailer in West Milton, Ohio, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos

The backstory:

The Supplemental Dietary Help Program, often called SNAP or meals stamps, is a federal program that gives meals help to 40 million low-income individuals – which means almost 1 in 8 individuals obtain the profit every month. The cash comes on pay as you go playing cards that they’ll use to do their purchasing.

In response to the numbers:

Within the fiscal yr ending September 30, 2024, SNAP value simply over $100 billion, together with half of state administrative prices coated by federal taxpayers. It supplied a median of $187 per thirty days to 41.7 million individuals.

Authorities shutdown impacts SNAP

Massive picture:

The federal government has been closed since October 1. Democrats have refused to vote on laws that may reopen the federal government as they demand well being care funding. Republicans say they’re prepared to debate the problem later, solely after the federal government reopens.

Why you must care:

Due to the way in which SNAP is funded, it’s susceptible to shedding funding throughout the shutdown.

RELATED: SNAP benefits will run out if the government shutdown lasts until November, MN officials say

What they are saying:

The U.S. Division of Agriculture, which oversees this system, despatched letters Oct. 10 to the state agencies who handle it and inform them to not ship sure recordsdata to the contractors that may pave the way in which for the EBT playing cards to be loaded in early November.

Some states have additionally stopped approving new functions for SNAP.

As well as, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins mentioned this week on social media that funding for SNAP would run out on November 1.

State officers say a pause in advantages can be a blow to households and the broader economic system.

RELATED: Does social security end when the government closes down? What you need to know

What’s subsequent:

It is potential the federal government might discover funding to maintain this system going even when the shutdown continues, however at $8 billion per thirty days that may be a problem.

Within the meantime:

Social Safety and Medicaid are financed differently and are anticipated to proceed paying advantages throughout the shutdown.