What does the government shutdown mean for your SNAP benefits?

Last night, Congress passed a bill to reopen the government after the 43 day long government shutdown. This bill funds the government through January of next year. This means states will finally be receiving funds from the federal government to issue full November SNAP payments, and that most states are expected to issue benefits in the next few days. From there, states will need between 24 hours and a few days to process benefits and issue them.

States that did not disperse any November SNAP until this point are expected to be the quickest, as states that issued partial payments will have to make corrections and calculate the remaining benefit amount after partial payments. At this time it seems that December and January SNAP benefits will go out as normal, and that Congress will attempt to create a funding plan for the rest of the federal fiscal year ahead of the January 30th deadline.

The Trump administration lost their court case to withhold SNAP benefits during the shutdown, and are now required by law to provide SNAP benefits using the available contingency funds. As of right now, it appears this will be a partial payment of about half of the usual monthly amount. Some states are using their own funding to make up some of the difference. Read an update on the latest on this situation from NPR here.
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Learn how your state is responding here:

USDA informed states that they have chosen not to use the available contingency funds to cover November benefits during the shutdown. This has necessitated the suspension of benefits across the nation. Here are two important updates regarding benefits:

Several bills have been proposed to allow for SNAP funding during the shutdown.

Over 20 states have sued the Trump administration for reversing their contingency plan and exacerbating needless suffering for American families. Contingency funds have been used to pay for SNAP during the previous Trump administration's government shutdown in 2018, so it's possible that with added state pressure, the administration will relent and release these funds to pay for November benefits. Learn more about contingency funds and the senselessness of the administration’s decision not to use them.

For a list of additional national and local resources, please see our Resources for SNAP November Benefits Delay post which is updated regularly.

As the shutdown enters its third week, USDA warns states that it will not fund SNAP for November. It seems that in most states, application and renewal processing will continue as normal, but it is unclear whether benefits will be back paid should there be a lapse.

Once we have more clarity on how each state is planning to respond (e.g. budget allocation to cover benefits), we will publish an update with a table listing out state responses.

Government shutdowns can feel overwhelming, especially when food and family stability are on the line. At mRelief, we believe every family deserves dignity and peace of mind and we'll continue to keep you informed and supported.

On October 1, 2025, the government experienced a shutdown due to Congress's inability to reach an agreement on a bill to fund government services beyond September. Here's what you should know.

If you already receive SNAP, your benefits for October 2025 will still be loaded onto your EBT card. The government prioritizes keeping food assistance flowing, even during a shutdown.
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If you're applying for SNAP for the first time, states may continue processing applications, but federal support staff are limited. This could slow down approvals in some places. “SNAP applications and the ability for employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to send out new benefits could be affected by a shutdown,” says U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen.
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National hotlines and federal offices that help with SNAP may not be fully staffed. For help, it's best to contact your local SNAP office, call your caseworker, or check up on your case status through your state's SNAP portal.
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WIC seems more at risk than SNAP in terms of immediacy. The National WIC Association "anticipates that WIC has enough funding on hand to remain open for the short term." Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), an anti-hunger advocacy nonprofit, urges WIC recipients to "continue to use their benefits and attend scheduled appointments while eligible people should continue to apply.” To stay up-to-date on WIC, refer to your state's WIC agency website or app.

It is unclear. "If a shutdown extends beyond mid-October, USDA could technically tap its contingency reserve funding to cover SNAP costs," says FRAC. "Under the prior administration, this reserve stood at $6 billion, but it is unclear how much remains available or whether the current administration would choose to use it."

If the shutdown continues, millions of families could face uncertainty about future benefits, while states struggle with fewer federal resources. This instability risks widening food insecurity at a moment when families most need consistency.

If you're having trouble paying bills, let your bank and utility providers know of your situation. Many are aware of the financial hardships caused by government shutdowns and they may offer flexible arrangements or utility bill assistance, if available.

If the shutdown continues, states will issue updates about how benefits may be adjusted in future months. Check your state SNAP website or call your local office for the most reliable information.

If you or someone you know needs support, mRelief is here. Our free SNAP screener makes it easy to check eligibility and apply for SNAP benefits, so families can focus on putting food on the table, even in uncertain times. And if you aren’t eligible, we’ll connect you with local resources that can help. Text 'FOOD' or 'COMIDA' to 74544 to get started. Or complete the screener online at screen.mrelief.com.