As of November 1, almost 42 million people in the United States—one in eight Americans—will lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. It is the first time that America’s largest anti-hunger program—established in 1964—has been so severely disrupted, halted for the first time in history. The United States is now facing an unprecedented public health crisis of food insecurity and hunger.
SNAP is funded by the federal government via the Farm Bill, with each state responsible for distributing benefits to eligible residents. To qualify, a household’s gross monthly income must sit at or below 130% of the poverty line. According to the most up-to-date USDA data, 30% of recipients are children, 20% are elderly, and 10% are individuals with disabilities. SNAP spending in 2024 totaled $99.8 billion, with recipients receiving around $187 a month in benefits. A family of four, on average, receives $715 per month, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities—equivalent to a little less than $6 per person per day.
“The well has run dry,” as the US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, which oversees SNAP, put it. The Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful” tax and spending bill had already significantly cut SNAP. The USDA’s Food and Nutrition homepage currently features a message falsely accusing “Radical Left” Senate Democrats of shutting down the government to provide healthcare to undocumented immigrants and transgender Americans.
The US government shutdown is entering its fifth week—now the second-longest shutdown in history—and the program will remain suspended until Congress reopens the government. Two dozen states have sued in a bid to force the program to continue (co-led by New York, California, and Massachusetts), and some have pledged their own funds to bridge the gap (including Connecticut, Virginia, and Vermont). SNAP’s expiration comes at a time of major tension between Republicans and Democrats, while the public continues to contend with other brutal cuts to federal programs and aid.
Millions of vulnerable people are expected to fall into dire food insecurity and face a serious risk of hunger. Colder months are setting in across many states, and with the holidays approaching—meaning kids out of school—the situation feels even more concerning. Below are some ways to help people losing their SNAP benefits, wherever you are.
Call your representative
Call your lawmakers and demand that they take action now. 5 Calls is an organization that provides accessible scripts for making clear demands of your representatives over the phone—they have a helpful script for asking your governor to advocate for basic food assistance, plus a table with state-specific data on how many people rely on SNAP in your area. Use this official government database to find your representative. Feeding America also provides an email script format.
Donate food and resources to your local food bank
Many food banks right now will benefit most from monetary donations, so provide cash if you can. Food banks and pantries can then decide what they specifically need and buy food in bulk or at discounted rates, making your donation go even further.
