The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a notice warning that federal food assistance may not be distributed on November 1, intensifying concerns for families across the country as the government shutdown continues.
The alert follows the Trump administration’s decision not to tap into roughly $5 billion in contingency funds that could have sustained the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) into November. SNAP, which helps approximately one in eight Americans purchase groceries, faces a potential halt in benefits if no political resolution is reached soon.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA notice states. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.”
The shutdown, which began on October 1, is now the second-longest in U.S. history. Although the administration took steps to ensure SNAP benefits were paid for October, the program’s cutoff in November could affect a broader population, including some of the most vulnerable, unless a solution is reached quickly.
The standoff continues over budget negotiations. Democrats have said they will not agree to reopen the government without talks on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans insist that Democrats must first consent to reopening the government before negotiations can proceed.
Democratic lawmakers have formally requested Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to allow the use of contingency funds for next month’s benefits. However, a USDA memo obtained Friday stated that these funds are not legally available for regular SNAP payments, as they are reserved for emergencies such as natural disasters. The memo cited Hurricane Melissa as an example, highlighting the need for funds to respond quickly to crises.
The potential suspension of SNAP benefits has raised alarm in states led by both parties. Some states have pledged to maintain payments even if federal distributions stop, but questions remain about whether federal rules will permit this and whether states would be reimbursed. Arkansas and Oklahoma, for instance, are advising recipients to prepare by identifying food pantries and other support networks.
Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn., criticized Republicans and the Trump administration for failing to negotiate. “If they were willing to sit down at the table, we could likely resolve this quickly,” Murphy said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “The government could reopen within days, and there would be no crisis in the food stamp program.”
