Published October 17, 2025
Allowing hunger to deepen during a shutdown is not an inevitability; it is a policy choice.
The Trump administration has demonstrated urgency in funding other priorities, but not the same commitment to protecting low-income families’ access to food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Historically, both Republican and Democratic administrations found ways to sustain SNAP during budget crises and shutdowns in 2013, 2018-2019, and the almost shutdown in 2022, by using contingency funds, carryover appropriations, and short-term adjustments. The authority remains intact. What is missing is the political will to prioritize the families, children, older adults, and workers who rely on SNAP to get the nutrition they need.
Communication and Immediate Steps
As the end of the month approaches, families are understandably anxious. Advocates must reassure households that October SNAP benefits have been funded and are available.
If the Trump administration chooses not to fund SNAP in November, benefits may be delayed but will be reimbursed once the shutdown ends. Advocates should remain in close communication with their state agencies for the most accurate updates, while making clear to clients that states are not to blame for federal inaction.
Advocates should also press the USDA for transparent guidance and to use its SNAP contingency reserves. Members of Congress should communicate with USDA and the administration the urgency to find funding to ensure that SNAP benefits continue into November and beyond, if necessary. Advocates should urge key policymakers, including leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, House and Senate Appropriations (especially those on Agriculture Appropriations) and House and Senate leadership, to immediately weigh in with the White House — to remind the administration that feeding families is not optional—it is a federal obligation.
Advocacy Talking Points
- SNAP is essential infrastructure. It reduces hunger, drives local economies, and stabilizes communities during crises.
- This is not an authorization issue. USDA has the authority and tools to sustain SNAP; failure to act is a matter of choice.
- October benefits are safe and available. All October SNAP benefits have been funded and loaded to EBT cards. Families should continue to use their benefits as normal.
- If November benefits are delayed, they will be reimbursed. In the event of a funding lapse, benefits will resume, and any missed payments should be issued retroactively once the government reopens. No one will permanently lose their benefits due to the shutdown.
- This is not a state issue. State SNAP offices administer benefits but do not control federal funding. Delays, if they occur, would result from USDA and the White House decisions, not state agency actions. States are working hard to support clients and keep them informed.
- USDA can act to reduce hunger. The USDA has the authority to use contingency and carryover funds to keep SNAP running, as it has done during previous shutdowns. The agency can and should choose to do so again.
- Families should not panic or change their normal shopping patterns. Benefits already issued are secure.
- Stay informed through trusted local sources. Follow updates from your state SNAP agency or community partners. Advocates and service providers are monitoring developments closely and will share verified information as it becomes available.
- You are not alone. Millions of families rely on SNAP, and advocates nationwide are working to ensure benefits continue without interruption. Feeding families is a federal responsibility, and we are pushing USDA to act quickly and transparently.
- SNAP supports farmers and retailers. Sustaining benefits keeps grocery stores open, strengthens agricultural markets, and supports community resilience.
USDA must use every available mechanism, including utilizing its contingency reserves, to prevent hunger and uphold its responsibility to the American people.