Recipients of SNAP benefits (food stamps) will no longer receive payments on November 1st during the government shutdown. You can find alternative resources here.
Airports experience flight delays and staff shortages during closure
Major airports are experiencing staffing shortages as TSA and air traffic controllers work without pay during the government shutdown.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be distributed on November 1, leaving millions of low-income families scrambling for food.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on its website that SNAP benefits will not be distributed on November 1st due to a lack of funding for the program during the ongoing government shutdown.
SNAP, also known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides 42 million Americans with monthly benefits to purchase healthy food.
“The bottom line is that the well is dry. At this time, there are no benefits to be issued on November 1st,” reads an Oct. 27 message on USDA’s website.
Here are resources for SNAP recipients who will no longer receive benefits starting November 1st.
How to find food banks and other food resources
People who normally rely on SNAP benefits will be able to turn to food banks and other subsidized meal programs in response to the funding shortfall.
To find your local food bank, enter your zip code on the Feeding America website.
The state agency that oversees SNAP benefits may have other assistance programs available during the expiration. For more information, visit the state agency’s website.
Impact of government shutdown on SNAP benefits
In a new message on its website, the USDA confirmed that SNAP benefits will not be distributed on November 1st. Funding for the program is allocated monthly, and October benefits were distributed as usual despite the government shutdown.
According to USDA’s closure plan, the agency is setting aside emergency funds that can be used to directly pay benefits to participants. However, the plan was published in September and has since been removed from the USDA website.
In a letter shared with USA TODAY, the USDA said that “emergency funds will not be available to support periodic benefits in fiscal year 2026 because the appropriation for periodic benefits no longer exists.” The letter also said states cannot pay SNAP payments and receive refunds even if they intend to do so.
DoorDash shipping fees are waived for SNAP recipients
The company announced on October 26 that SNAP recipients will be able to use DoorDash starting in November without paying additional shipping or service fees.
Customers who link their SNAP/EBT card as a payment option on their DoorDash profile can shop at select participating stores, including Sprouts, Dollar General, and Wegmans, and have shipping and service fees waived on one order during the month of November.
DoorDash says a promotional code is required to take advantage of the offer, but users who upload a SNAP/EBT card as a payment method will see the code in the app during the availability period from November 1st to November 30th.
DoorDash said it will waive fees on about 300,000 orders as part of the promotion.
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Contact her at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
