Overview
- The USDA said it will issue no Nov. 1 SNAP payments during the shutdown and has declined to use roughly $5–6 billion in contingency funds.
- About 42 million people stand to miss assistance that typically totals around $8–9 billion in monthly benefits.
- More than 20 states and attorneys general have sued to compel continued funding, and Judge Indira Talwani signaled she may order use of emergency funds, with a ruling pending.
- States are rolling out limited stopgaps, including New York’s $65 million for food banks, Oregon’s $5 million with a 60‑day food security emergency, and Virginia’s plan to tap surplus funds.
- Schools and food banks report they cannot replace federal aid at scale and are preparing for immediate surges in need starting this weekend.