US Government to Halt Food Aid Payments Next Week Amid Ongoing Shutdown

More than 40 million Americans risk losing food aid in November as the USDA halts SNAP benefits amid the US government shutdown. The Trump administration refused to use emergency funds, sparking Democratic outrage. Some states plan to step in, but many lack resources. The shutdown, now in its 26th day, threatens to deepen hunger nationwide.

Food assistance relied on by more than 40 million Americans will not be distributed in November due to the ongoing US government shutdown, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The department announced on its website that “the well has run dry,” placing responsibility for the funding impasse on Senate Democrats.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which benefits one in every eight Americans, is a critical support system for millions of households, helping families put food on the table and manage their grocery budgets. However, the current government shutdown has halted its operation.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration declined to tap into a contingency fund that could have extended SNAP benefits temporarily. Officials argued that the reserve needed to be preserved for potential national emergencies such as natural disasters.

Democrats have sharply condemned President Donald Trump’s decision, accusing his administration of cruelty and negligence. “This is perhaps the most cruel and unlawful offence the Trump administration has perpetrated yet,” said Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro and Angie Craig in a joint statement on Friday. They also criticised the president for prioritising other expenditures, such as financial assistance to Argentina and the construction of a new White House ballroom, while millions of Americans face food insecurity.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), a Washington-based think tank focused on policies that support low-income families, the contingency fund in question could only cover about 60% of one month’s worth of SNAP benefits. Despite this, many Democrats believe that even partial use of the fund could provide temporary relief to families struggling under the shutdown.

In a letter addressed to the Department of Agriculture on Friday, Democratic members of the House urged Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to release the remaining reserves and reallocate available departmental funds to ensure that the majority of November’s benefits are paid. The lawmakers emphasized that Congress had specifically provided the contingency reserve for situations like this.

However, in a memo obtained by US news outlets, Rollins maintained that the reserve can only be used for “true emergencies,” which the department defines primarily as natural disasters. Her stance aligns with the USDA’s previously published shutdown plan, which stated that only a limited number of staff would continue working to manage SNAP operations. That plan also noted that Congress had established “multi-year contingency funds” to help states maintain benefit distribution even during federal disruptions.

SNAP operates by providing recipients with reloadable debit cards that can be used to purchase essential food items. On average, a family of four receives $715 per month, which equates to roughly $6 per person per day, according to CBPP data. While states administer the program, the majority of its funding comes from the federal government.

Several states have announced plans to use their own funds to offset the loss of federal support, though federal officials have warned that they will not be reimbursed for such spending. Massachusetts, where an estimated one million residents depend on SNAP, has expressed concern that it lacks the financial capacity to fully cover the shortfall.

In the face of this crisis, many state governments are partnering with local organizations and charities to direct affected families to food pantries and meal assistance programs. California has even deployed members of its National Guard to help distribute food supplies.

As the shutdown entered its 26th day on Sunday, it officially became the second-longest government shutdown in US history. Millions of Americans now face the growing uncertainty of how they will feed their families, while political leaders in Washington remain locked in a standoff over government funding.