The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, represents a lifeline for more than 42 million people in the United States. Thanks to these vouchers, millions of low-income families can buy basic food items each month. But the current federal government shutdown has jeopardized the continuation of this benefit, creating uncertainty among those who depend on it to put food on the table. The situation became critical after the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that no benefits would be issued on November 1st due to a lack of funds caused by the prolonged government shutdown. This leaves millions of families unsure how they will be able to afford food in the coming weeks. Although beneficiaries can continue using the money they still have on their EBT cards, there will be no new reloads until Congress approves a new budget. Given the uncertainty, some state agencies have asked beneficiaries to use their available balances cautiously. “If you have remaining balances from previous months, we recommend planning your purchases carefully and buying essential food items when you need them,” reads the Hawaii Department of Human Services website. Many households have opted to reduce their spending or turn to food banks, which are beginning to reach capacity in several regions. The USDA has also not confirmed whether the missed payments will be made retroactively once the government reopens. However, social welfare experts are confident that this will be the case. “We understand that SNAP benefits will be issued retroactively when the government shutdown ends,” Lizbeth Ginsburg, senior staff attorney in the social law unit at Greater Boston Legal Services, told CBS News. Meanwhile, Gina Plata-Nino, interim SNAP director at the Food Action Research Center (FRAC),(as its acronym in English), explained that beneficiaries “are entitled to their benefits” and should receive them even if there was a temporary interruption.

While the federal government maintains the budget impasse, several states have decided to act on their own. Governors and state legislators are allocating emergency funds to prevent the most vulnerable families from going hungry. Among them, Louisiana, Vermont, California, and New York lead the list of local governments that have announced support measures.

In Louisiana, Governor Jeff Landry signed an emergency declaration on October 24 to temporarily fund SNAP benefits in his state. Days later, Vermont approved a plan to cover food assistance until November 15, using state resources. These decisions seek to ensure that non-residents are left without support while Congress resolves the shutdown.

Other states have opted to strengthen the food support network instead of directly funding benefits. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of National Guard troops to assist food banks and the release of $80 million earmarked to keep them stocked. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul pledged $30 million to guarantee 16 million meals for the three million beneficiaries who rely on SNAP vouchers. They have also taken measures: These actions range from logistical reinforcement to the delivery of direct funds to local food assistance organizations. Even so, the USDA warned that “there is no legal provision that allows states to cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed,” which puts local governments in a difficult position. According to Plata-Nino, these interventions “consume resources that could be allocated to other priorities” and may not be sustainable if the crisis continues. The suspension of SNAP benefits not only affects the food security of millions of families, but also the economies of small businesses and supermarkets that depend on these purchases. Each month, the program injects millions of dollars into local economies, so its interruption threatens to generate a broader economic impact.