Shutdown Means SNAP Benefits Could Run Out in November
5 min read
Millions of families could see a disruption to SNAP benefits (aka food stamps) as soon as November if the federal shutdown continues into late October.
In letters to state agencies, USDA told states to hold their November benefit files “until further notice” and warned there may be insufficient funds to pay full November benefits for roughly 42 million people.
Why this matters: SNAP helps more than 40 million people every month. If November benefits are delayed or reduced, households could face immediate gaps at the grocery checkout. This is a big deal; we’ll tell you what you need to know.
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What’s happening to SNAP right now?
Because Congress hasn’t passed funding for the new fiscal year, USDA told states not to send the usual November files to EBT vendors yet. That pause is meant to buy time, but it signals real risk for November issuances.
Agencies in North Carolina and local governments in Colorado and Texas are alerting residents that November SNAP may be delayed until federal funds are available. And if the government shutdown keeps going, November funds are in jeopardy.
RELATED: Will Your Benefits Stop Druing a Government Shutdown?
How did we get here?
SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) runs on a partnership between states and the federal government. States process applications and issue benefits, but the money itself comes from the federal budget. When Congress doesn’t pass a funding bill, USDA has no authority to release money beyond what’s already been allocated.
During the last major shutdown in 2018-2019, USDA scrambled to keep benefits flowing by issuing February payments weeks early and tapping limited contingency funds. That stopgap measure kept families fed, but it created chaos at the start of the next month when no new funds arrived.
This time, USDA hasn’t said how much emergency funding remains. The agency’s Oct. 10 letter, shared by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and circulated in the media, suggests reserves may not be enough to cover a full month of benefits if Congress doesn’t act soon.
What happens to SNAP when the government resumes?
Once Congress passes a funding bill (or another temporary spending measure), USDA can immediately release the held-up funds. States will then process their November files and send them to EBT vendors for deposit.
That means benefits wouldn’t disappear entirely; they’d just be delayed. But for many households, even a week’s delay can mean empty pantries and skipped meals. Food banks and mutual aid groups often see sharp increases in demand after shutdowns end, as families play catch-up from the gap.
If the shutdown drags too long, USDA could also issue partial benefits to stretch what’s left of its reserve. That scenario would create major inequities across states depending on how quickly they process EBT loads.
What if two months overlap?
If the shutdown delays SNAP through November and December, states will issue both months’ benefits once funding resumes. You won’t lose a month’s worth — but expect delays or combined deposits when EBT systems come back online.
What are families supposed to do if SNAP runs out of money?
If USDA runs out of funds before November benefits are distributed, states may not be able to issue any new EBT deposits until Congress acts. That doesn’t affect October benefits; those are already funded, but November would be uncertain.
In that case, families may need to lean temporarily on local resources. Many states coordinate with regional food banks, community pantries, and school meal programs that can continue serving families using separate funding streams.
Check your state or county’s social services website for real-time updates, since some may arrange limited emergency distributions through partnerships with local nonprofits. (And... check out the article below.)
RELATED: Nutritional & Food Assistance Benefits: An Overview
What are some steps to take before funds run out?
With no end to the shutdown in sight as of mid-October, here’s what you should do before the November funds run out:
1. Shop strategically while October funds are active.Stock up on affordable, filling staples like beans, pasta, oats, rice, peanut butter, and canned vegetables. Focus on long shelf life and high nutritional value.
2. Check your EBT account often.States may post updates or early deposits with little warning. Log in to your EBT portal or use your state’s app to monitor your balance.
3. Connect with local resources now.Look up nearby pantries through Feeding America’s directory or call 211 for emergency food assistance programs in your ZIP code.
4. Submit your recertifications early.If your renewal is due in November, complete it now so you’re ready to receive funds as soon as USDA resumes payments.
5. Stay informed.Check your state’s SNAP page or BenefitKarma for verified updates, especially near the end of October when federal funding talks heat up.