SNAP Benefits at Risk: How a Government Shutdown Could Delay October Food Stamp Payments

Millions of SNAP households face November payment cutoff as shutdown looms The clock is ticking for nearly 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). With Congress still deadlocked over a federal funding bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) now says it lacks the legal authority to tap emergency reserves to keep food-stamp dollars flowing if the government shuts down, putting November 1 benefits in jeopardy. What USDA’s reversal means USDA officials had previously signaled they could stretch about $6 billion in contingency funds to cover at least one month of benefits. Late last week, however, the department told state agencies those reserves are “not legally available,” contradicting its own September shutdown plan and leaving states no federal money to load EBT cards for November. Without congressional action, the $9 billion needed for a full month of SNAP simply isn’t there. Who will be affected Roughly one in eight Americans depend on SNAP for groceries, including two-thirds of seniors and children in the program. According to NPR, that’s 42 million people across 21 million low-income households who could lose their food budget overnight if a shutdown drags past Halloween. Hard-hit states such as Texas, Florida and California each have more than three million recipients, magnifying the ripple effect on local grocers and food banks. Why contingency funds are off-limits Budget experts say USDA’s contingency account was set up for natural disasters and administrative expenses, not monthly benefits. The Office of Management and Budget reportedly advised the department that using it for regular SNAP payments would violate federal appropriations law. Advocates counter that the reserve has been tapped during previous shutdowns and warn that withholding it now weaponizes hunger in the political showdown. State options and limitations • Front-loading state dollars: A few governors are studying whether they can advance state funds and get reimbursed later, but USDA has told them it will not guarantee repayment. • Emergency allotments: Pandemic-era bonus benefits ended earlier this year, leaving no cushion to shift. • Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP): Only applies after a declared disaster, so it cannot fill the gap created by legislative gridlock. What SNAP households should do now 1. Check your EBT balance daily after October 30. If your state issues benefits on a staggered schedule, delays could stretch into mid-November. 2. Stock non-perishables while October benefits are still accessible, prioritizing protein items like canned tuna, beans and peanut butter. 3. Identify local resources—food pantries, WIC clinics and community meal sites—through Feeding America’s online map or by calling 2-1-1. 4. Keep receipts: If benefits arrive late, states may issue them as a supplemental payment rather than a full monthly reload. Impact on retailers and the economy SNAP pumps about $1.5 billion a week into grocery stores. A full-month lapse would slash fourth-quarter revenue at major chains by an estimated 2 % and hit rural mom-and-pop stores even harder. Analysts warn that reduced SNAP spending during the holiday season could shave 0.1 percentage point off GDP growth if the shutdown lasts more than three weeks. Political path forward House and Senate negotiators have floated another short-term continuing resolution, but disagreements over border security and defense spending remain. The longer Washington waits, the more complicated November’s benefit cycle becomes; states typically need at least five business days of lead time to process federal payments. Bottom line If Congress does not pass a funding bill—or the White House does not authorize USDA to use contingency dollars—SNAP benefits will not load on November 1. Families should prepare for possible delays, advocates are urging lawmakers to act before hunger spikes, and grocers are bracing for a sudden drop in sales. The next 72 hours could determine whether millions of Americans can afford groceries next month.