Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are expiring in two days amid the nearly one-month-long government shutdown. Based on 2024's fiscal year, nearly 42 million low-income Americans relied on SNAP to afford groceries and receive crucial food assistance.
States are now scrambling to find ways to offer emergency food relief and aid after Nov. 1. Over two dozen states have sued the Trump administration for not funding SNAP. And some online companies are stepping in to help, including HelloFresh and DoorDash.
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Why SNAP benefits are expiring and why it matters
The Department of Health and Human Services' website notes that the federal government shutdown is impacting November SNAP benefits and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Starting next month, recipients will only be able to access current funds on their EBT cards from previous months.
Since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, federal funding for multiple agencies has come to a halt. Many federal workers, such as TSA employees and air traffic controllers, have either been furloughed or missed paychecks due to the shutdown. Now SNAP -- a Depression-era government-funded program that is also commonly referred to as food stamps -- is at risk.
According to data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, in 2024's fiscal year, more than 62% of people who received SNAP benefits were families with children. The average SNAP benefit for one household member was $163 per month.
According to CNN, if the government does not find a solution within the next two days to fund SNAP, the program's benefits will be cut off for the first time in its history.
"The well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1," a message at the top of the USDA's website says.
Democratic leaders from 25 states are behind the lawsuit filed Tuesday against the Trump administration for its refusal to use a $6 billion contingency fund to maintain SNAP. Point 5 of the lawsuit, which was shared by Politico, reads: "USDA suspended SNAP benefits even though, on information and belief, it has funds available to it that are sufficient to fund all, or at least a substantial portion, of November SNAP benefits."
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