Veterans Face SNAP Cuts Amid Ongoing Federal Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As November 11 approaches, over 1 million U.S. veterans may lose access to food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The federal government is currently in its 35th day of a shutdown, tying the record for the longest in American history.

According to the House Committee on Veteran Affairs, approximately 1.2 million veterans and 22,000 active-duty military families depend on SNAP. Studies indicate that veterans face a higher risk of food insecurity compared to non-veterans.

SNAP provides food purchasing help to individuals and families with limited financial resources. Currently, it supports around 42 million Americans across the nation.

The situation escalated on Tuesday when President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, declaring that SNAP benefits would only be available once the government reopens. “SNAP BENEFITS … will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!” he stated, a message that was also shared by the White House on X.

In response, a senior official from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) informed a federal judge that emergency funds might be used to keep the SNAP program running. The official noted that recipients may not see these funds for months, according to ABC News.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities previously reported that 11% of veterans aged 18 to 64 faced food insecurity between 2015 and 2019. A study by the USDA indicated that veterans were 7% more likely to encounter food insecurity when controlling for various socioeconomic factors.

As the deadline nears, veterans and their families are left in a tightening situation, worryingly awaiting the fate of their essential food assistance.