How a Government Shutdown Affects SNAP Benefits and Food Banks

When the government shuts down and stays closed for several days, agencies that depend on federal funding need to come up with backup plans. Millions of Americans rely on these services, including programs that help people buy food.

Some programs, like Social Security, will keep running no matter what. Others, like SNAP (the food stamps program) and WIC (which helps women, infants, and children), could be at risk since these depend on both state and federal government cooperation.

If the shutdown goes on for a long time, there might not be enough people or money to keep these programs operating smoothly.
 

What Happens to SNAP During a Government Shutdown?

The USDA manages the SNAP program and has a backup plan in place for short-term government shutdowns. SNAP benefits for October were already set aside before the month began, so people will get their usual payments for now.

If the shutdown continues, the USDA has some extra funds that can keep the program running for a short time. However, these backup funds might not be enough if the shutdown lasts longer than a month.

Generally, the USDA can only keep sending benefits for 30 days after the shutdown starts unless Congress passes new funding.

If the shutdown goes beyond October, this could lead to problems with getting SNAP benefits out on time. In a previous 2018-2019 shutdown, SNAP benefits for February were paid early, and Congress had to approve emergency money to cover benefits after that.
 

What Problems Could Happen for People Who Use SNAP?

If the shutdown lasts too long, it might be hard to keep SNAP running, especially at the state level. During the last shutdown, the USDA had to cut its staff by half. This slowed down things like checking applications, approving new benefits, and updating their website.

SNAP benefits are handled differently in each state, so a shutdown could cause confusion or delays in some places. If states can’t send the right data to the companies that load money onto EBT cards, people could see delays or miss out on benefits.

Also, food stores need a license to accept SNAP. During a shutdown, stores can’t renew or apply for new licenses, so if their license expires, they can’t accept food stamps until the government reopens.
 

How Are Food Banks Affected?

A government shutdown also impacts food banks. If federal workers are sent home without pay, more people might go to food banks for help. When there are problems or delays with SNAP or WIC, more people rely on food banks.

Some food banks also get direct food or funding from the USDA. If the shutdown lasts a long time, food banks might not get enough supplies from the government, which makes it even harder for them to help everyone in need.

For now, food banks and programs like SNAP are still operating as normal, but a long shutdown could make things difficult for both the programs and the people who depend on them.

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