SNAP Benefits November Halt: Millions Face Food Insecurity as Government Shutdown Drags On
Millions of Americans who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could see their benefits halted in November as the federal government shutdown continues with no resolution in sight. State agencies across the country, including New York and South Carolina, are warning that unless Congress passes new funding, SNAP benefits will not be issued for November.
In New York, nearly 3 million residents rely on SNAP to feed their families. The state’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance said federal officials directed states to withhold issuing benefits for November unless the shutdown ends. Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn called the situation “unprecedented,” warning that allowing monthly benefits to stop “would have an immediate and devastating impact on the 40 million Americans and nearly 3 million New Yorkers who depend on the program to put food on their table.”
The same warning is now echoing in the South. The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) announced that there will be no SNAP benefits distributed in November until the federal government reopens. According to the agency, over 260,000 South Carolina households rely on these benefits every month to afford basic groceries.
SCDSS said it received guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) instructing the state to “hold November 2025 SNAP issuance files until further notice.” Officials urged families to budget existing EBT funds carefully and seek help from local food banks if needed.
The snap benefits November halt is one of the most serious ripple effects of the ongoing government shutdown, highlighting how political gridlock in Washington can directly affect food security for millions of low-income families.
Hunger crisis deepens in New York
In Staten Island, the impact could be especially severe. Food insecurity has already been a long-term issue in many parts of the borough. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the CDC show that neighborhoods with higher SNAP participation also experience higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure—clear indicators of the relationship between poverty, poor nutrition, and health.
For example, in Staten Island’s 10304 ZIP code—where more than 26% of households depend on SNAP—rates of obesity and diabetes are far higher than in wealthier areas. If the November benefits are withheld, families in these neighborhoods could be forced to rely on even cheaper, processed foods or skip meals entirely.
“Food assistance is critically needed and is a particular concern given the current high costs of food, rent, and energy,” Guinn said. “The federal government must act now to provide the necessary funding for SNAP benefits so that millions of Americans are not made casualties of a budget fight.”
South Carolina families brace for the same
In South Carolina, officials are taking a cautious but urgent tone. The SCDSS warned that if the federal shutdown continues, it will have no mechanism or funding to provide or replace federally funded SNAP benefits. While families can still use any remaining EBT funds, new disbursements are frozen.
The department also warned that processing for new applications and benefit recertifications could take longer, and it urged recipients to lock their EBT cards when not in use to prevent fraud.
What this really means
If the government shutdown continues into November, millions of Americans could lose their main source of food assistance. In both New York and South Carolina, officials say they’re preparing for the worst but hope Congress will act before the end of the month.
This would be the first time in U.S. history that SNAP benefits are withheld because of a government shutdown—a move that could deepen the nation’s hunger crisis and leave tens of millions of vulnerable Americans without the help they depend on to eat.
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