Millions Risk Losing SNAP Benefits Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON — Millions of Americans could lose critical food assistance from the federal government next month as the government shutdown extends into its third week.

Approximately 42 million people in the U.S. utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have warned state agencies that funding for SNAP is expected to run out on November 1, a memo obtained by Fox News Digital indicated.

More than two dozen states have alerted residents about potential funding gaps. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency over SNAP benefits on Thursday. “It requires about $8 billion each month to fund SNAP benefits nationwide. When there’s no funding, it impacts not just pockets of people, but people all around the country,” said Rev. Eugene Cho, president of Bread for the World, a nonprofit hunger advocacy group.

Cho noted that the impact of the funding halt might differ from state to state, as each state administers SNAP funding based on federal guidance. “States are on a little bit of a different rhythm in terms of how they’re conveying the reduction or the elimination of SNAP benefits,” he explained.

The ongoing shutdown also threatens the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program, which currently assists nearly 7 million vulnerable pregnant women and children under age 5. Democrats face pressure to agree on funding amid demands for concessions on healthcare reform.

A USDA spokesperson commented, “We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They need to reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable can receive timely WIC and SNAP allotments.”

The House passed a seven-week extension of FY2025 funding on September 19, yet progress has stalled in the Senate due to a lack of bipartisan support. The Democratic leadership is demanding that any new spending plan includes an extension of enhanced benefits set to expire at the end of 2025.

“Millions of American families are about to lose access to food assistance because Democrats refuse to reopen the government,” said House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson, R-Pa. “We need to put Americans first by ensuring families can put food on the table.”

Both political parties have exchanged blame as the funding logjam continues. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated recently that money for the program would be depleted by the end of October. “You’re talking about millions of vulnerable, hungry families that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown,” she said.

Despite the financial constraints, there is potential for the administration to redirect funding. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., indicated that the administration could access a $5 billion contingency fund for SNAP. “As has been the case in prior government shutdowns, the money can be found by the administration if they chose to do so,” Jeffries stated.

With the risk of funding cuts looming, food assistance programs remain a pivotal issue as Congress navigates ongoing debates and a potential resolution to the federal shutdown.