WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2025
Millions of Americans who rely on food assistance are facing growing uncertainty as the federal government shutdown, now in its third week, threatens to halt the distribution of November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the federal agency that funds the program, issued a letter to state agencies on October 10 warning of “insufficient funds” to cover November’s benefits if the congressional impasse is not resolved.
As a direct consequence, the USDA has instructed states to “hold off on sending” their electronic benefit files to the vendors who manage the EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card payments. This administrative halt is the first step toward a full delay or suspension of payments.
In response, several states have begun issuing direct warnings to residents. Officials in Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Illinois, and California, among others, have publicly cautioned that November’s SNAP payments are in jeopardy and will be delayed until federal funding is restored.
The SNAP program provides essential grocery funds to over 40 million people nationwide. Advocacy groups have expressed grave concern over the potential impact on families and individuals already struggling financially.
“These are, for the most part, working individuals who still live paycheck to paycheck,” said Gina Plata-Nino, interim director for SNAP at the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC).
With no immediate resolution in sight, the political deadlock in Congress continues to disrupt federal services. Projections from some financial markets suggest the shutdown could persist for several more weeks, intensifying the financial strain on the nation’s most vulnerable families.
