Nearly 40 million Americans are at risk of hunger this November as food stamp cuts take effect following the prolonged U.S. government shutdown, according to federal data and humanitarian organizations. The disruption threatens the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports one in eight Americans and underpins the U.S. safety net for low-income families.
40 Million Americans at Risk of Hunger
| Key Fact | Detail / Statistic |
|---|---|
| Americans reliant on SNAP | Approximately 42 million |
| Estimated November shortfall | $4.3 billion in funding |
| States declaring emergencies | New York, California, Illinois |
| Federal contingency funds remaining | Enough for 2 weeks of benefits |
| Official Website | U.S. Department of Agriculture |
The Immediate Impact of Food Stamp Cuts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that SNAP’s emergency reserves are nearly depleted after weeks of halted appropriations during the government shutdown. Without congressional action, benefits for tens of millions of low-income households may be delayed, reduced, or halted entirely.
“SNAP is operating on borrowed time,” said USDA spokesperson Marissa Gonzales in a press briefing. “Unless Congress restores funding, millions of families could experience interruptions in their grocery benefits by mid-November.”
Food banks across the country are already reporting an uptick in demand. “We’re seeing people we haven’t seen in years—working parents, veterans, seniors,” said Karen Morales, executive director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “These cuts are hitting families who were already struggling to stay afloat.”
Why the Shutdown Caused the Crisis
The food stamp cuts stem from the October government shutdown triggered by a congressional deadlock over budget priorities. SNAP relies on annual appropriations, unlike Social Security or Medicare, which operate on permanent funding. Without a new spending bill, the USDA can only draw from a limited contingency fund.
According to internal USDA estimates, sustaining full benefits requires nearly $9 billion per month. The existing reserve, valued at around $4.6 billion, covers barely half that amount.
Congress remains at an impasse. Senate Republicans last week blocked a temporary funding bill that included full SNAP restoration, arguing that emergency programs should be part of a broader fiscal negotiation.
“This isn’t about targeting low-income families,” said Sen. Mark Ellis (R–Texas). “It’s about restoring discipline and ensuring we don’t rely on stopgap spending indefinitely.”
Democrats countered that the move was “inhumane and unnecessary.” Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D–Wis.) said, “We’re debating whether millions of Americans deserve to eat. That’s not fiscal discipline—that’s negligence.”
States Step In as Federal Aid Falters
With federal funds in limbo, several states have initiated emergency measures to keep food assistance flowing. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency to redirect state funds to food banks and school meal programs.
“No child or senior should go hungry because of political gridlock,” Hochul said during a news conference announcing $250 million in temporary aid.
California, Illinois, and Massachusetts are exploring similar state-funded relief programs. But experts warn these are temporary fixes.
“The state can plug the gap for a few weeks, not months,” said Dr. Elaine Rivera, a public policy expert at the University of California, Berkeley. “SNAP operates at a national scale—state governments can’t replicate that reach or sustainability.”
The Human Cost: Families on the Brink
SNAP recipients include children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities—groups most vulnerable to disruptions in food aid. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), SNAP households spend 63 percent of their food budget using these benefits.
For families like Lisa Turner’s in Dayton, Ohio, the difference between receiving SNAP benefits and losing them is stark. “I used my last payment to buy bread and milk,” she said. “If the benefits don’t come this week, I’ll have to skip meals so my kids can eat.”
Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, warned that food banks could only meet about 20 percent of the demand if SNAP were fully suspended. “The math doesn’t work,” said CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. “Community food banks are a safety net, but SNAP is the foundation.”
Historical Context: SNAP in Previous Shutdowns
The 2025 crisis marks the most severe disruption to the food stamp program in modern history. During the 2018–2019 government shutdown, the USDA used creative accounting to pre-fund SNAP benefits, preventing a total lapse. This time, legal and fiscal constraints limit such maneuvers.
“The difference is the length and scope of the current shutdown,” said Dr. Alan Krueger, a policy analyst at Princeton University. “In 2019, USDA acted quickly to front-load payments. Now, reserves are smaller and the shutdown longer.”
Introduced in 1964 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, SNAP (then known as the Food Stamp Program) has become one of the most effective anti-hunger initiatives in U.S. history. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that SNAP lifts 2.8 million people above the poverty line annually.
Economic Consequences Beyond the Kitchen Table
Economists warn that food stamp cuts could ripple through the wider economy. SNAP benefits are typically spent quickly, providing immediate stimulus to local grocers and farmers.
The U.S. Department of Commerce calculates that every $1 spent in SNAP generates about $1.50 in economic activity. A nationwide disruption, experts say, could reduce consumer spending by billions and stall growth in already fragile rural economies.
“If these benefits stop, local businesses—from supermarkets to corner stores—will feel it,” said Dr. Michael Grant, senior economist at the Brookings Institution. “SNAP isn’t just social policy—it’s economic infrastructure.”
Expert Analysis: Food Insecurity and Inequality
According to the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey, nearly 12.8 percent of American households reported food insecurity in 2024—up from 10.2 percent before the pandemic.
Dr. Nadia Ahmed, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, attributes this rise to persistent inflation, stagnant wages, and reduced pandemic-era support.
“Many families were just starting to recover,” she said. “The shutdown and SNAP cuts are pushing them back to square one.”
Globally, the U.S. ranks lower than several developed nations in food security, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Food Security Index. Countries like Canada and Germany report lower rates of household hunger, reflecting stronger automatic stabilizers during economic crises.
Political Fallout and Public Opinion
The SNAP funding standoff has deepened partisan tensions in Washington. A Pew Research Center poll released this week found that 62 percent of Americans blame Congress for the crisis, while 28 percent fault the White House.
Republicans argue the administration mishandled contingency planning, while Democrats accuse the opposition of “manufacturing hardship” for political leverage ahead of the 2026 midterms.
“The optics are terrible for both parties,” said Dr. Ben Schwartz, a political analyst at Georgetown University. “But the human cost—families skipping meals—is what voters will remember.”
Possible Paths Forward
Budget negotiators are reportedly discussing a continuing resolution to fund essential programs like SNAP through December. The measure, if passed, would restore benefits within two weeks.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups are calling for structural reforms to make SNAP funding mandatory rather than discretionary.
“The lesson here is that essential nutrition support should never depend on annual budget fights,” said Megan Taylor, director at the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). “We need permanent protections.”
The White House has also floated an emergency executive measure to reallocate existing USDA funds, though experts note that option carries legal limits and would only buy time.
Humanitarian Response: Local Communities Mobilize
Churches, nonprofits, and neighborhood food pantries are mobilizing nationwide. Donations are flowing in, but demand is outpacing supply.
In Atlanta, the Midtown Assistance Center reported a 60 percent increase in food requests within two weeks. “We’re serving more first-time visitors than ever,” said Reverend Paul Henson, who runs the program. “People who used to volunteer here are now asking for help.”
The Road Ahead
As Washington debates spending and responsibility, families across the country wait anxiously. Many are checking their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards daily, uncertain when or if their November deposits will arrive.
“This crisis has shown how fragile our safety net really is,” said Dr. Rivera of UC Berkeley. “Food should never be a casualty of politics.”
For now, advocates urge citizens to donate, volunteer, and pressure lawmakers to act. “Every meal counts,” said Babineaux-Fontenot of Feeding America. “But lasting change has to come from policy, not charity.”
FAQ About 40 Million Americans at Risk of Hunger
Who qualifies for SNAP benefits?
SNAP provides monthly electronic benefits to low-income individuals and families to purchase food. Eligibility depends on income, household size, and certain asset limits.
When will benefits be affected?
USDA officials say most recipients will see delays or reductions beginning in mid-November unless Congress approves new funding.
How can individuals get help?
Recipients can check their state’s SNAP portal for updates and locate local food banks through Feeding America.
