Amid the ongoing government shutdown, states nationwide face potential disruptions in the funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), putting benefits at risk.

SNAP, previously recognized as the food stamps program, receives its funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program’s cost is a shared responsibility between the federal government and individual states, which manage their own SNAP operations.

While the monthly disbursement of funds ensured that October’s benefits remained unaffected, the prolonged shutdown—which reached its 23rd day on Thursday—casts uncertainty over November’s assistance.

States including Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and New Jersey have cautioned that continued delays could see SNAP recipients facing a halt in benefits starting November 1.

The USDA reports that, on average, 41.7 million individuals received monthly benefits during fiscal year 2024. In that year, SNAP expenditures totaled $99.8 billion, averaging $187.20 per participant each month.

States sound alarm over SNAP benefits

The Florida Department of Children and Families, for instance, said that November SNAP benefits will not be issued until the shutdown ends. In Texas, the state’s Health and Human Services Commission noted that if the shutdown continues past Oct. 27, November benefits will not be issued. 

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said in a release on Oct. 16 that nearly three million residents of her state will lose access to SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1. 

A USDA spokesperson, in a statement to The Hill, called on Senate Democrats to “reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive timely” benefits for SNAP and the USDA’s special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children.” The government shutdown has continued amid Democrats’ push to permanently extend subsidies offered via the Affordable Care Act. 

The share of residents receiving SNAP benefits differs by state. According to the USDA, Utah — 4.8 percent — and New Mexico — 21.2 percent — had the lowest and highest shares of residents receiving benefits in fiscal year 2024, respectively. 

Louisiana, which, at 18.4 percent, had the third-highest share of residents receiving benefits, behind only New Mexico and Washington, D.C. On Thursday, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) said Thursday that SNAP recipients “may run out of funds” by the start of November. 

Landry, in a release, said that he is in discussion with other governors and “making it a top priority that seniors, individuals with disabilities, and children who rely on food stamps do not go hungry in Louisiana.”

According to the New Jersey Department of Human Services, it is “unclear” if SNAP benefits if SNAP recipients can use funds received prior to Oct. 31 come November. The Hill has reached out to the USDA for clarification on whether individuals can use prior funds starting Nov. 1.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) warned that food assistance for 700,000 people would run out in November. He urged the Trump administration to “use every legal administrative option available” to ensure access to the program benefits.

States have encouraged SNAP recipients to check with local food banks for support in lieu of benefits. 

Cut off follows SNAP overhaul

The food-assistance program was also overhauled this summer by the One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law by President Trump in July. 

The law went into effect immediately, but the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service gave states until Nov. 1 to comply. The act, among other provisions, eliminated certain exceptions to the program’s work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents between the ages of 55 and 65 and adults with dependents between the ages of 15 and 18. 

Homeless individuals, veterans and those ages 24 and under who are no longer in foster care must also adhere to the work requirements, which stipulate that an individual must prove they are working at least 80 hours per month, pursuing an education or in a training program to qualify for SNAP benefits. 

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the budget law’s work requirement provisions will reduce the number of SNAP recipients in an average month by 2.4 million until 2034.