Several states are sounding the alarm as the federal government shutdown moves deeper into October. Officials in Pennsylvania, Texas, and California have confirmed that they will not be able to issue November SNAP benefits if Congress doesn’t reach a funding deal soon.
In Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services posted a public alert warning that November food assistance cannot be paid because federal funds have run out. The notice directly blames Washington’s failure to pass a budget, saying the shutdown has left the state without money to support the program.
Texas officials also confirmed that the state’s millions of recipients will lose benefits if the shutdown continues past October 27th. That deadline is important because it marks the cutoff for states to send funding data to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which manages the SNAP program nationally.
California leaders echoed the same concern. The governor’s office said the state’s 5.5 million SNAP recipients may not receive payments next month if federal lawmakers don’t act soon.
The problem is widespread. According to the USDA, there is not enough money to pay out full benefits in November for the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP to buy groceries. If the shutdown continues, some states may see delays while others will have to stop payments completely.
Millions of households, especially those with children, seniors, and people with disabilities, could be affected. And while lawmakers debate spending priorities, the clock is ticking for families who simply need food on the table.
