The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is set for a major disruption: the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that no SNAP benefits will be issued beginning 1 November 2025 unless federal funding is restored. That pause would affect approximately 42 million Americans, about one in eight people nationwide.
This isn’t a case of administrative delay: the USDA itself says “Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01.”
Here’s a breakdown of why this is happening, who is impacted, and what happens next.
Why the Cut-off? Government Shutdown + Funding Deadlock
Government shutdown
The United States federal government has been in a funding impasse since 1 October 2025, when Congress failed to pass a full appropriations measure. Because SNAP is 100% federally funded (i.e., all benefits paid via federal appropriations) and administered by the USDA, any lapse in appropriations threatens benefit issuance.
Contingency funds? Not this time
You might ask: “What about backup funds?” Indeed, there is a contingency reserve labelled for SNAP. But according to the USDA and the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), the administration says those funds are not legally available to maintain regular benefits in this situation. In short: even though there could have been a possibility to bridge payments, the current legal/administrative interpretation says that can’t happen.
Consequences of the stalemate
Because of these factors, states are being told to suspend benefit allotments for November unless federal funding is restored. For example, the Georgia Department of Human Services officially posted:
“In accordance with 7 CFR 271.7(b), the USDA Food and Nutrition Service is suspending all November 2025 benefit allotments … effective November 1, 2025.” Georgia Department of Human Services
Thus, while October’s benefits will still be redeemable (for those already issued), the next round of SNAP benefits will not be credited to recipients or loaded onto their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards until the shutdown is resolved.
Who Is Affected? The Millions Who Rely on SNAP
The scale is immense:
- Around 42 million Americans receive SNAP monthly.
- Many of these are among the most vulnerable: children, older adults, people with disabilities. For instance, the Newsweek analysis notes that over 62 % of SNAP households include children.
- The average benefit is roughly US $187/month per household (which is modest in any cost‐of‐living context).
Thus this isn’t just a technical budget row—it literally threatens food access for millions. Recipients are already bracing. For example:
“My children won’t go hungry,” said a single mom in Maine who currently draws about $600/month in SNAP benefits; she now says she plans to delay paying her electric and credit-card bills to insure groceries are covered.
Across many states, food banks are already sounding alarm bells. The nonprofit emergency food system is simply not equipped to replace billions of dollars of federal aid.
The Broader Ripple Effects: Economy, States, Local Communities
Economic multiplier
It’s not just about individuals. SNAP spending has a multiplier effect: each dollar spent supports grocery stores, rural retailers, local economies. One article estimates: each $1 in SNAP generates ~$1.60–1.79 in economic activity.
A stoppage of roughly $8–9 billion in monthly SNAP benefits (the cost of an average month for all recipients) would thus hit local economies, especially in low-income communities. CBS News+1
State actions & limitations
Some states are scrambling. A few governors say they will use state funds to keep benefits flowing temporarily—for example Virginia and California announced emergency measures. Newsweek+1
But there are big caveats:
- The USDA has said states that use their own funds will not be reimbursed. Newsweek+1
- State funds are limited; the national scale of the program means they cannot fully replace SNAP without massive cost.
- Food banks and nonprofits express concern: they can’t substitute for the federal aid in terms of scope or speed.
Human consequences
Loss of food assistance may lead to:
- Increased food insecurity: skipping meals, cheaper / lower‐nutrient foods, long‐term health impacts.
- Greater financial strain: families may have to choose between groceries and rent, utilities, medical care.
- Increased burden on charitable networks, which are maxed out already.
- Longer-term health and developmental effects on children: who rely on regular nutrition.
A quote from a food bank leader:
“The charitable food system and food banks don’t have the resources to replace all those food dollars.” CBS News
What Happens Next — And What Can Be Done
Immediate next steps
- Recipients should monitor their EBT balances and notices from their state SNAP agencies. Some states have posted FAQs. Georgia Department of Human Services+1
- If a state issues its October benefit (before Nov 1), those funds can still be used. But no new November benefits will be issued until federal funding is restored.
- Food recipients and families should explore local food banks and community support networks, given the impending gap.
What Congress / USDA might do
- A full continuing resolution or appropriations bill must be passed for federal funding to resume.
- Legal or administrative debate remains over use of SNAP contingency/reserve funds; some argue they could be tapped but USDA says they cannot in this case. cbpp.org+1
- States may pursue emergency reimbursement mechanisms or request federal relief once the shutdown concludes.
Longer-term concerns
- If the pause persists, long-term damage could occur: nutritional deficits, increased health costs, more stress on social services.
- The economic ripple may feed back: reduced grocery spending could hurt local retailers and suppliers.
- Trust in the system may erode: recipients who depend on these benefits face the risk of vulnerable moments of gaps.
The Bottom Line
The SNAP program suspension is more than a policy technicality. It potentially represents a major interruption in food security for tens of millions of Americans—children, older adults, working families. Because the program is entirely federally funded and running out of approved funds during a government shutdown, the USDA has declared that no benefits will be issued on November 1, 2025 unless Congress acts.
The ripple effects extend from individual households to local economies and social service networks. The human cost could be severe: more hunger, more financial stress, more burden on charities and local systems not built for this scale.
And while states may try patchwork measures, they cannot easily fill the vacuum of billions of federal dollars. The only real fix is political: reopening the government, restoring appropriations, and signaling that the safety net remains intact even amid partisan battles.
For now: If you or someone you know receives SNAP benefits, it’s vital to prepare for the possibility of a gap, explore local support networks, and track updates from your state’s human services agency.