Shutdown set to impact SNAP funding in many states

As the government shutdown persists, funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are at risk in states across the country. 

SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, are funded by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The federal government shares the cost of administering the program with states, while states operate their own programs. 

Funding is sent to states monthly, so October benefits were not impacted. However, as the government shutdown hit 23 days Thursday, November benefits are in jeopardy. 

States such as Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and New Jersey have warned that if the shutdown persists, SNAP recipients will lose access to benefits starting Nov. 1. 

According to the USDA, an average of 41.7 million people received benefits monthly in fiscal 2024. That year, the federal government spent $99.8 billion on SNAP, with a monthly average of $187.20 per participant. 

States sound alarm over SNAP benefits

The Florida Department of Children and Families, for instance, said November SNAP benefits will not be issued until the shutdown ends. In Texas, the state’s Health and Human Services Commission noted if the shutdown continues past Monday, November benefits will not be issued. 

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said in a release on Oct. 16 that nearly 3 million residents of her state will lose access to SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1. 

A USDA spokesperson, in a statement to The Hill, called on Senate Democrats to “reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive timely benefits for SNAP and the USDA’s special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children.” The government shutdown has continued amid Democrats’ push to permanently extend subsidies offered via the Affordable Care Act. 

The share of residents receiving SNAP benefits differs by state. According to the USDA, Utah (4.8 percent) and New Mexico (21.2 percent) had the lowest and highest shares, respectively, of residents receiving benefits in fiscal 2024. 

Louisiana (18.4 percent) had the third-highest share of residents receiving benefits, behind only New Mexico and Washington, D.C. On Thursday, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) said SNAP recipients “may run out of funds” by the start of November. 

Landry, in a release, said he is in discussion with other governors and “making it a top priority that seniors, individuals with disabilities, and children who rely on food stamps do not go hungry in Louisiana.”

According to the New Jersey Department of Human Services, it is “unclear” whether SNAP recipients can use funds received prior to Oct. 31 come November. The Hill has reached out to the USDA for clarification on whether they can.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) warned that food assistance for 700,000 people would run out in November. He urged the Trump administration to “use every legal administrative option available” to ensure access to the program benefits.

States have encouraged SNAP recipients to check with local food banks for support in lieu of benefits. 

Cut off follows SNAP overhaul

The food-assistance program was also overhauled this summer by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Trump in July. 

The law went into effect immediately, but the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service gave states until Nov. 1 to comply. The act, among other provisions, eliminated certain exceptions to the program’s work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents between the ages of 55 and 65 and adults with dependents between the ages of 15 and 18. 

Homeless people, veterans and those ages 24 and younger who are no longer in foster care must also adhere to the work requirements, which stipulate that a person must prove they are working at least 80 hours per month, pursuing an education or in a training program to qualify for SNAP benefits. 

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the budget law’s work requirement provisions will reduce the number of SNAP recipients in an average month by 2.4 million until 2034.

Source: The Hill