What are the benefits of SNAP and what happens during a shutdown?
SNAP helps 41.7 million Americans put food on the table, but benefits could stop starting Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown.
In an 11th-hour ruling, two federal judges ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration cannot stop food assistance to millions of low-income Americans while the government shutdown continues and must use reserve funds to pay benefits that end on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Shortly after the Oct. 31 court ruling, President Trump said on social media that the federal government likely lacks the legal authority to require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pay benefits provided by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps.
“I would be honored to provide funding, as I have done with military and law enforcement salaries, if appropriate legal direction is given by the courts,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. What that means for SNAP recipients in November remains unclear.
About 3 million recipients would receive benefits Saturday if the government were open, according to estimates from Code for America, first reported by CNN. By the second week of November, more than 13 million SNAP enrollees will receive their funds in phases throughout the month.
SNAP funds end on Saturday, November 1, but here’s what you need to know.
How many people in the United States are on food stamps?
According to the USDA, 22 million households and more than 42 million people relied on SNAP benefits during fiscal year 2025.
This number represents about 12% of the total US population of 342 million.
How many children and adults rely on food stamps?
According to USDA’s 2023 report on the SNAP program, the most recent annual data shows that the largest age group receiving benefits was adults ages 18 to 59.
However, the data shows that about 39% of those receiving benefits were children.
WIC and school lunches may be affected.
SNAP is the nation’s largest food assistance program, accounting for about 70% of USDA’s nutrition assistance spending in fiscal year 2024, according to the agency.
However, there are many other food assistance programs run by the government, including:
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) serves at-risk children under age 5 and pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women.
- According to USDA, WIC served approximately 6.7 million participants each month in fiscal year 2024, including an estimated 41% of all young children in the United States.
- The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free school lunches to children.
- According to USDA, NSLP served more than 4.8 billion lunches in fiscal year 2024.
The impact of the government shutdown on WIC, NSLP, and other government-sponsored programs varies by program.
Donation destination
Anyone interested in donating to those in need should be sure to contact their local food bank to see what they need. There are also several online resources for fundraising for food banks and SNAP recipients.
- Through Instacart’s Community Carts program, you can donate directly to your local food bank by selecting a facility and selecting the items you want to send. Click here to donate.
- Propel is an app that many SNAP recipients use to manage their benefits and fundraise through GiveDirectly. Funds will be distributed directly to families through the Propel app. Click here to donate.
- Feeding America works with food banks across the country. Click here to donate.
Contributors: USA TODAY’s Zach Anderson, Joey Garrison, Bert Jansen, Zachary Schermelet, Mary Walrus-Holdridge, Sarah Wyer and N’Dare Yancey-Bragg. Reuters
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
