Millions Could Lose Food Aid in November as Shutdown Drags On

Federal food aid benefits could run out in a little over a week and not resume until the government shutdown is resolved.

It has been more than three weeks since the government shutdown began, as Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse over health care cuts. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides funds for groceries to low-income households, has sufficient funding to last through October.

States administer programs funded by the federal government. The Department of Agriculture advised states that if the shutdown continues past Oct. 31, there will not be enough money to pay full SNAP benefits in November. That would mean about 42 million Americans who rely on the program to help pay for groceries will not receive the aid until the government is running again.

Some states have already begun holding benefits; others announced that November benefits will be delayed if the shutdown continues through next week. For example:

• Pennsylvania paused SNAP benefits on Oct. 16 and said it could not pay them out until the government resumed functions.
• The California governor said November SNAP benefits for the state will be delayed.
• Texas said November benefits will not be distributed if the government is still shut down past Oct. 27.

Additionally, the WIC program, which provides nutritional support for nearly 7 million pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children, will run out of funding after Oct. 31.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-MO, introduced a bill this week that would fund the SNAP program for the remainder of the government shutdown. There is currently no scheduled date for when the bill will be voted on.