Shutdown Threatens November SNAP Benefits

The partial federal shutdown has entered its fourth week, furloughing thousands of workers and threatening to pause November SNAP benefits for millions if funding is not restored. State and county officials — including Florida, Minnesota and northeast Ohio authorities — warn processing could stop (Cuyahoga County estimates roughly 190,000 residents could be affected), and some states have posted public warnings. Food banks and pantries from San Antonio to Atlanta, New Orleans, Maine and Cleveland report surging demand and strained capacity that they cannot fully meet. USDA has reopened certain county Farm Service Agency offices to resume farmer loan and payment processing, but it has also issued guidance to halt sending EBT vendor data, a step that could prolong benefit disruptions even if the government reopens. State leaders are exploring limited contingency options, but groups warn that halted benefit processing combined with increased local demand risks worsening food insecurity unless Congress acts quickly.