The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of America’s most crucial lifelines for low-income families. Run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), it helps over 42 million Americans afford groceries each month through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. SNAP isn’t just a welfare program it’s a stabilizer for families, seniors, and veterans who depend on it for everyday meals. When people can buy food, they also spend money locally, supporting grocery stores, farmers, and even truck drivers. But now, that entire system is in danger because of the ongoing government shutdown.
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Why SNAP Benefits Might Stop in November
The issue boils down to money or rather, the lack of it. Congress has failed to pass a new funding bill, leading to a federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025. Without new appropriations, agencies like the USDA cannot legally release funds to states. According to a USDA memo sent to state agencies in mid-October, the department doesn’t have enough money to cover November SNAP payments if the shutdown continues. Officials warned that millions of households could lose access to their monthly food benefits if Congress doesn’t act fast. Several states have already sounded the alarm, telling residents that November benefits might be delayed, reduced, or completely halted.
Which States Are Already Affected
Different states are handling the crisis in different ways, depending on how much federal cash they have on hand. Here’s what’s happening so far:
| State | Status for November 2025 | Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | All November benefits will stop if shutdown lasts past Oct 27 | Texas HHS Alert |
| Pennsylvania | Announced that November benefits “cannot be paid” if no funding is restored | State DHS Website |
| Michigan | Ordered to pause November benefit issuance due to federal funding freeze | Michigan Gov Site |
| Oklahoma | Benefits suspended starting Nov 1 because of funding uncertainty | OKDHS Newsroom |
These states are among the first to speak out, but more are expected to follow if the budget stalemate drags into November. Even states with some emergency funds admit they can only sustain SNAP for a short while.
The Bigger Picture, How Shutdowns Hit Families Hard
This SNAP crisis is part of a wider ripple effect from the government shutdown. Other nutrition programs, like WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), are also running out of funds and could soon pause benefits too.
If SNAP stops in November, the results will be immediate and painful:
- Families will struggle to buy basic groceries.
- Local grocery stores could lose billions in sales, especially in low-income and rural communities.
- Food banks and charities will be overwhelmed with new demand.
Experts warn that this could trigger a new wave of food insecurity nationwide especially after years of progress made during the pandemic to fight hunger.
What Households Should Do Now
Until Congress passes new funding, no one can guarantee November SNAP payments. The USDA has said it’s “monitoring funds daily,” but without legal authority to pay benefits, there’s little it can do.
Here’s what families can do to prepare:
- Check your EBT balance before the end of October and plan your spending carefully.
- Follow updates from your state’s SNAP office or local Department of Human Services.
- Connect with community support local food pantries, churches, and nonprofits may have emergency assistance if benefits are delayed.
If lawmakers pass a temporary spending bill, payments could restart immediately. But until that happens, many households are left in limbo.
What’s Next Will Congress Step In?
As of October 24, 2025, congressional negotiations remain stuck. Lawmakers have yet to agree on a short-term fix or a full budget, leaving millions of families waiting and worrying. If the shutdown continues, it will mark one of the most severe disruptions to the SNAP program in its history. Advocates say that the situation exposes how fragile America’s safety-net programs can be when tied to political gridlock.
SNAP was designed to protect families from hunger, not to become a casualty of partisan battles. But unless a funding bill passes soon, November could bring one of the most painful months for struggling households in recent memory.
