Roughly 41 million Americans who rely on federal food assistance could see their benefits halted beginning November 1 as the government shutdown enters its second month without a resolution.
According to a notice posted on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website, there will be “no benefits issued Nov. 1” under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if Congress fails to approve funding.
The program, which provides food assistance to low-income families and individuals, is funded primarily by the federal government but administered through state agencies.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 26, 2025
The announcement follows repeated failed efforts by lawmakers in the U.S. Senate to end the funding impasse.
Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement
Senators have held 12 votes since October 1 on various measures to reopen the government, all of which have failed to secure enough support for passage.
The ongoing shutdown has become the second-longest since 1981 and has begun to affect a growing number of federal services, including programs that millions depend on for daily necessities.
@WhipKClark, the number two House Democrat, on the Democrat Shutdown: "Of course there will be families that are going to suffer... but it is one of the few leverage times we have."
These people are SICK! pic.twitter.com/7MRHsmGMGx — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 22, 2025
SNAP benefits are typically distributed to recipients through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, with funds allocated by the federal government and transferred through state systems.
Each state manages its own issuance schedule, with some distributing benefits based on alphabetical order of last names, while others use case numbers or staggered release dates.
FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest
The potential disruption to SNAP would mark one of the most significant impacts yet from the federal stalemate.
President Lyndon B. Johnson established the first permanent food stamp program in 1964 as part of his Great Society initiative.
The program’s origins, however, date back to 1939, when the first temporary food stamp system was launched during the Great Depression to support struggling families.
As the standoff continues, political divisions have deepened over the cause of the shutdown and the scope of federal spending.
Democratic lawmakers have blamed Republicans for what they describe as unnecessary gridlock, while Republicans argue that the dispute centers on fiscal responsibility and government priorities.
Once again this is easily proven to be false.
Receipts: pic.twitter.com/ah7wCh2kFe — Ivan (@45is47) October 26, 2025
President Donald Trump has said he will not support a spending package that includes $1.5 trillion in funding that he said would “give illegal aliens health care.”
The president reiterated his position during remarks to reporters this week, emphasizing that federal resources must be directed toward citizens and lawful residents rather than noncitizens.
JUST IN: President Trump tells Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries to SHOVE IT - he will never give illegal aliens $1.5 trillion to reopen the government because it will HURT Americans.
"I just can't do it!" "I said, come on over, just put the government back. All they have to… pic.twitter.com/UAqcKit8cP — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 26, 2025
Meanwhile, other federal workers are also feeling the impact of the shutdown.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that thousands of air traffic controllers across the country are continuing to work without pay to maintain operations at airports and ensure flight safety.
On Tuesday, 13,000 air traffic controllers will get a $0 paycheck because Democrats are holding the government hostage.
I don’t want our controllers going to a FOOD BANK! The fact that they are having to think about how to put food on the table is UNACCEPTABLE. End the… pic.twitter.com/lwyxzHpYB1 — Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) October 26, 2025
Lawmakers in both chambers remain deadlocked over a compromise to restore government funding.
Representative Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told Fox News that the path to reopening the government likely depends on a handful of Senate Democrats crossing party lines.
MORE NEWS: John Stamos Says He’ll Never Join ‘Dancing With the Stars’ No Matter How Many Times They Ask [WATCH]
“We need four or five more Senate Democrats to cross over to reopen the federal government,” Burchett said.
BREAKING: Rep. Tim Burchett just went SCORCHED EARTH on Chuck Schumer and Democrats over the federal shutdown
"They want America to SUFFER and they have STILL drawn their paychecks every dadgum day!" "Democrats do not CARE about poor people, all they care about is POWER."… pic.twitter.com/351XOUzTa0 — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 26, 2025
The funding lapse has already delayed pay for hundreds of thousands of federal employees and disrupted services across multiple agencies.
Without an agreement before the start of November, SNAP beneficiaries could experience a lapse in benefits, heightening concerns among state agencies responsible for distributing aid.
The USDA has advised states to prepare for possible delays and to communicate updates directly to SNAP participants as the situation evolves.
Unless Congress passes a new funding measure in the coming days, November 1 will mark the first day that tens of millions of Americans could lose access to the nation’s largest food assistance program.
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of RVM News. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.
We should shut down the democrat party permanently. It is an anti-American socialist now.
FULL-BLOWN COMMUNIST
Nobody will starve in America.
That is just Democrat BS covering for the idiots
that vote for them.
My pantry is open to feed people I trust.
I feed many people in need as they need it.
No Democrat government is involved.
Churches and friends do the work.
Democrat government is the PROBLEM!
Keep voting for corrupt DEMOCOMMUNISTS people, and this will continue. You can now clearly see WHO the DEMOCOMMUNISTS favor over the LEGAL American Citizens (CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS) OR as chuckles schumer calls them “their more controllable breeding stock”
They need to make a law where senators and congress DOES NOT get paid and feed the AMERICAN PEOPLE. Schumer YOU are a traitor to the AMERICAN PEOPLE as is the democrat party. SHAME SHAME SHAME. Like you dems. say about everyone else who does not agree with you. God bless America.
Jeffries already said no to that.
#1 question should be why are 41 million on food stamps?
Exactly these people should get off of their fat butts and earn a living then nobody would have to worry about shutdown
The Democrats are committing treason they don’t help the people they swore to represent but those that are destroying our country they want to support arrest them for treason
This is what happens when you people keep voting DEMOCOMMUNIST. These “government elites” do not give a rat’s behind about the LEGAL American citizens in this country. They only care about their criminal illegal alien, “more controllable breeding stock:”, (as chuckles schumer calls them) and illegal voters, as they will BRIBE them with free health care, free money, free food, and free hotel rooms, (PAID FOR BY TAXPAYING AMERICAN CITIZENS) that will keep them in POWER.
Maybe this is not a bad idea ,maybe this will make people want to work for food again ..
Maybe all those rich Democrats will have thanksgiving dinners for all their supporters