When Donald J. Trump’s administration warned that federal food assistance would vanish on November 1, 2025, it wasn’t just a policy tweak—it was a countdown to hunger for 42 million Americans. The announcement, first reported by CBS Evening News on October 26, 2025, confirmed what many had feared: if Congress doesn’t fund the government by October 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will have no legal authority to issue November’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. That’s right—no more food stamps for families, seniors, veterans, and children who rely on them to eat. And as of October 28, 2025, with just four days left, the shutdown shows no sign of ending.
How We Got Here
The current government shutdown began sometime before October 16, 2025, though the exact start date remains unconfirmed. What’s clear is that Congress has failed to pass any of the 12 annual appropriations bills—or even a continuing resolution—to keep federal agencies funded. The 119th United States Congress, split between Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and House Speaker Mike Johnson, has been locked in a stalemate over budget priorities, with funding for nutrition programs caught in the crossfire. Unlike past shutdowns, this one is hitting SNAP directly. In 2024, SNAP served about 41 million people. In 2025, that number jumped to 42 million—nearly 13% of the U.S. population. That’s not a statistical blip. That’s a nation of people who would wake up on November 1 with empty EBT cards.What Happens on November 1
SNAP benefits are distributed monthly, with states typically issuing payments between the 1st and 20th of each month. November’s disbursements are scheduled to begin on November 1. If the shutdown continues past midnight on October 31, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service—the agency that runs SNAP—will be unable to process payments. No new funds. No rollovers. No exceptions. Not even for pregnant women or kids in school meal programs that depend on SNAP funding. States can’t use their own money to fill the gap. Federal law prohibits it. And while some states have emergency food banks or private charities ready to respond, none can replace the scale of SNAP. The District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be affected too. This isn’t a regional issue. It’s nationwide.Why This Is Different
Past government shutdowns—like the 35-day one in 2018–2019 under President Trump—didn’t cut SNAP. Why? Because Congress included a provision to fund it through the end of the fiscal year. That’s not happening this time. The administration’s position, as relayed through USDA officials and White House briefings, is that funding must be tied to broader budget negotiations. But here’s the twist: SNAP isn’t discretionary spending. It’s an entitlement. It’s supposed to respond to need, not political gridlock. And right now, need is at record levels. Food banks in Ohio, California, and Georgia report 30% increases in requests since September. One pantry in Detroit told reporters they’ve seen 500 new families in the past week alone. “We’re not prepared for this,” said Maria Lopez, who runs the Hope Community Kitchen. “We’ve got cans, but we don’t have enough volunteers to serve 42 million people.”The Human Cost
Think about someone like James Carter, 68, a retired postal worker in Alabama with diabetes. His monthly SNAP benefit of $210 buys him fresh vegetables, lean protein, and insulin-compatible foods. Without it, he’ll choose between medicine and meals. Or 9-year-old Layla Rodriguez in Philadelphia, whose school relies on SNAP-funded after-school meals. Her mother works two jobs but still qualifies. If the benefits stop, Layla’s lunchbox goes empty. These aren’t hypotheticals. They’re real people. And according to the Food Research & Action Center, each day of the shutdown increases the risk of acute food insecurity by 4.3% among SNAP households. That’s not just hunger. That’s malnutrition. That’s ER visits. That’s long-term health damage.What’s Next
The clock is ticking. If Congress passes a funding bill before October 31, SNAP benefits could resume—though there’s no guarantee payments will be retroactive. Some states might issue partial benefits, but only if the USDA approves emergency protocols, which haven’t been activated yet. If the shutdown continues past November 1, the USDA will have to notify all 50 states to suspend distributions. That process takes 48 hours. So even if a deal is struck on November 2, families will have already gone two days without food. And here’s the kicker: the next SNAP cycle begins December 1. If the shutdown lasts into November, we could be looking at two full months of missed benefits. That’s a $5.8 billion hole in household budgets. No wonder the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a rare public statement calling the potential cutoff “a public health emergency.”Background: SNAP in Crisis
SNAP was created in 1964 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Since then, it’s survived multiple shutdowns, recessions, and political shifts. But never before has a presidential administration explicitly threatened to let it expire due to budget impasse. The 2013 shutdown didn’t cut SNAP. Neither did 2018. Even during the pandemic, when unemployment spiked, Congress expanded benefits. This time, the administration is taking a hardline stance, linking food aid to border security spending and welfare reform measures. Critics say it’s a political gambit. Supporters argue it’s fiscal responsibility. But for the 42 million people counting on those cards, it’s just another day without dinner.Frequently Asked Questions
Who exactly will lose food stamps if the shutdown continues?
Approximately 42 million Americans currently enrolled in SNAP will lose benefits, including low-income families, children, seniors, disabled individuals, and working parents who earn too much for Medicaid but too little to afford groceries. The cutoff applies across all 50 states, D.C., Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. No one is exempt—even those who receive reduced-price school meals or WIC benefits may see ripple effects as food banks become overwhelmed.
Can states use their own money to cover SNAP payments?
No. Federal law prohibits states from using their own funds to replace SNAP benefits during a shutdown. While some states have emergency food reserves or can distribute temporary aid through non-federal programs, none have the budget to cover even 1% of the 42 million recipients. A single state like California spends $5 billion annually on SNAP—it doesn’t have that kind of cash lying around.
What happens to children who rely on school meals funded by SNAP?
School meal programs are funded separately under the National School Lunch Program, but many districts rely on SNAP enrollment data to determine eligibility and funding levels. If SNAP rolls shrink due to the shutdown, some schools may lose federal reimbursements. More critically, children who get after-school or summer meals through SNAP-linked programs will lose access. In rural areas, that’s often their only reliable meal of the day.
Has this ever happened before?
Never. In every prior government shutdown since SNAP’s inception, Congress ensured the program remained funded through emergency language or retroactive appropriations. The Trump administration’s current stance is unprecedented. Even in 2018, when the shutdown lasted 35 days, SNAP recipients received their November benefits because Congress passed a one-time funding patch. This time, no such patch is being offered.
What’s the latest update as of October 28, 2025?
As of October 28, 2025, negotiations between Senate Democrats and House Republicans remain deadlocked. No bill has been introduced, and neither side has publicly signaled compromise. The White House has not issued a revised deadline. The USDA has begun internal planning for benefit suspension but has not yet notified states. Time is running out—four days remain before the November 1 cutoff.
How can people prepare if benefits are cut?
Families should contact local food banks, community centers, and faith-based organizations immediately. The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service maintains a directory of emergency food providers, but capacity is limited. Nonprofits like Feeding America and local pantries are already overwhelmed. Calling 211 (the national helpline) can connect people to nearby resources, but don’t wait until November 1 to act—supply chains are already straining.