Millions of Americans Are at Risk of Losing SNAP Benefits Next Month

Millions of Americans may lose access to food assistance in November if the ongoing government shutdown isn’t resolved soon.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned state agencies in a letter that roughly 42 million people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could see their benefits run out next month. The department projected that there won’t be enough funding to cover all recipients if the shutdown persists.

SNAP “provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being,” the USDA explains on its website.

“If the current lapse in appropriations continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the nation,” the USDA stated in the letter signed by SNAP development director Sasha Gersten-Paal, according to USA Today.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins echoed the warning on X (formerly Twitter), writing that the shutdown means “there are not enough funds to provide SNAP for 40 million Americans come Nov. 1.”

She also spoke about the situation at the White House on Thursday, Oct. 16, according to CNN, saying, “You’re talking about millions and millions of vulnerable families — hungry families — that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown.”

The crisis follows weeks of political gridlock in Congress, which failed to pass a spending bill to keep the government running beyond Sept. 30. Lawmakers remain divided over how to allocate federal funding.

President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have been unable to reach a compromise with Democrats, who have insisted on protecting Obamacare tax credits. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at the time, “Our position has been very clear: cancel the cuts, lower the costs, save healthcare.”

Republicans, however, argue that debate over healthcare subsidies can wait. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, “We can have that conversation, but before we do: release the hostage, set the American people free, keep the government open and then let’s have a conversation about those premium tax credits. I’m certainly open to that. I think we all are.”

Republican lawmakers and Rollins have blamed Democrats for “putting their political agenda ahead of food security for American families.” Democrats, meanwhile, say Republicans are responsible for stalling negotiations over a deal that includes healthcare provisions, according to CNN.

The shutdown, which began at 12:01 a.m. ET on Oct. 1, has halted nonessential federal programs and services. Essential workers — including TSA agents and air traffic controllers — remain on the job but won’t be paid until the government reopens.