States Warn of SNAP Benefit Disruptions Amid Ongoing Shutdown

States across the United States are alerting citizens that the ongoing federal government shutdown could halt **Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)** benefits starting in November. This potential disruption threatens the livelihoods of millions of Americans who rely on these benefits for essential groceries.

According to a notice from the Pennsylvania state website, “Starting October 16, SNAP benefits will not be paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are released.” Similar warnings have been issued by states including **New Jersey**, **Maryland**, **New York**, and **Texas**. The urgency of these announcements follows a letter from the **U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)**, which oversees SNAP, stating that a continuation of the funding lapse would result in “insufficient funds” for full November benefits.

The White House referred inquiries to the USDA, which confirmed the communication to state agencies but declined to comment on the broader implications for the millions depending on SNAP. Advocates for food security are sounding alarms about the potential fallout. **Gina Plata-Nino**, interim director for SNAP at the **Food Research & Action Center**, emphasized that many recipients are working individuals living paycheck to paycheck.

Understanding SNAP Benefits and Administration

More than **40 million Americans** are currently enrolled in SNAP, receiving an average of **$187** monthly on prepaid cards used for purchasing food items such as produce, meat, and dairy. Although SNAP is federally funded and administered by the USDA, individual states manage the disbursement process. This involves sending electronic files containing recipient information to an electronic benefit transfer vendor, ensuring that funds are available at the start of each month.

Plata-Nino explained how the shutdown has disrupted this delicate system: “EBT processors have to get all of this data in time. They need to be able to process the payment so when that person utilizes their card at that EBT retailer, the money will be there.” The USDA’s recent letter directed states to temporarily halt sending these electronic files, raising concerns about potential delays and disruptions in November payments.

One SNAP recipient, **Deb Powers** from Massachusetts, voiced her concerns, stating, “Letting people go hungry is a choice, and it’s not a good one.”

Funding Contingencies and Future Implications

The USDA does have contingency funds, which could be utilized to cover SNAP costs during a shutdown. According to the Food Research & Action Center, these reserves amounted to **$6 billion** during the Biden administration. The USDA’s **Lapse of Funding plan** mentions that these multiyear contingency funds could be used to support benefits if a lapse occurs in the middle of the fiscal year. Despite this, it remains uncertain whether the agency will draw from these funds to ensure continuity of benefits for November.

Plata-Nino noted that during previous government shutdowns in **2018 and 2019**, the USDA had disbursed funds early to prevent disruptions. “This administration didn’t do any of that, but they still have the contingency funding… They have the money, so it really is a policy choice,” she remarked.

States may explore reallocating funds from their own budgets to cover the gap, although doing so could prove challenging. **Peter Hadler**, deputy commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Social Services, expressed skepticism about federal reimbursement for such expenditures, indicating that states might not see their funds returned.

As the shutdown continues, the stakes are high for millions of Americans who depend on SNAP benefits for their daily sustenance. The situation remains fluid, with advocates urging prompt action to prevent a humanitarian crisis among vulnerable populations.