Will There Be No More Food Stamps? SNAP Benefits at Risk if Government Shutdown Continues

• The SNAP benefits at risk situation could leave millions without assistance in November.
• The government shutdown has left the USDA without sufficient funding.
• Food stamp payments could be delayed or interrupted.

The SNAP benefits at risk crisis is causing concern among millions of families in the United States.

According to a USA Today report, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned that if the government shutdown continues, there will not be enough funds to cover November payments.

This would affect more than 42 million people who rely on the program to buy food — many of them in Hispanic communities.

SNAP program at risk: what’s happening

The future of SNAP benefits at risk if the government shutdown extends https://t.co/glsaLgbdvv

— Telemundo Chicago (@TelemundoCHI) October 17, 2025

The SNAP benefits at risk situation stems from the lack of federal budget approval.

SNAP is a mandatory benefit; however, the USDA still requires congressional authorization to release funds each month.

Without a continuing resolution, the agency will not be able to issue full November payments.

In an official letter sent to state agencies, the USDA explained that available resources could run out if the shutdown continues beyond October.

This could disrupt food assistance in states with high demand, such as Texas, California, New York, and Florida.

Government shutdown: direct impact on SNAP benefits

The government shutdown halts the approval of funds for federal programs, including nutritional assistance.

Although SNAP is considered essential, its funding is not unlimited.

If Congress does not pass a new budget, the USDA will lose the legal authority to issue November payments.

States such as North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Minnesota have already warned that their local SNAP programs could be affected.

Each state manages its own electronic transfer schedule, so delays may vary — creating uncertainty and food insecurity among beneficiaries.

Food stamps: who would be most affected

Food stamps are the primary resource for millions of low-income households.

Through EBT cards, the SNAP program helps families purchase fruits, vegetables, cereals, meats, and basic groceries.

If funding is interrupted, the most affected would be:

• Families with young children
• Seniors with fixed incomes
• Part-time workers and low-wage migrants

In states with large Latino populations — such as Texas and California — food stamps are an essential tool to prevent hunger.

Suspension of the program could lead to a surge in demand for food banks and local charitable organizations.

How the government is preparing for the SNAP crisis

The USDA is developing a contingency plan to reduce the impact of the shutdown, according to ABC News.

Measures include temporarily reallocating funds and coordinating with state agencies to prioritize the most urgent payments.

However, the agency warned that these steps do not guarantee that benefits will arrive on time.

Staff shortages caused by the shutdown further complicate the processing of electronic files required to issue SNAP benefits.

The Food Research & Action Center warned that if the USDA does not authorize transfers before the deadline, delays will be unavoidable.

What’s next

• Congress must pass a new budget or temporary extension to avoid disruption of benefits.
• If no political agreement is reached, the SNAP benefits at risk program could partially suspend payments in November.

Meanwhile, families should monitor official state announcements and check their EBT card balances through online portals.

Experts recommend planning essential expenses and using local emergency resources if benefits are delayed.

The outlook remains uncertain: if the government shutdown continues, food stamps may not arrive on time — jeopardizing the food security of millions of people.

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