The ongoing government shutdown has thrust the nation’s food-assistance program into uncertainty, as a fresh directive demands a rollback of planned benefit payments. Millions of families now face the prospect of delayed aid just weeks before the holiday season.
Late on a Saturday, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) sent a memo instructing states to reverse steps toward issuing full SNAP payouts in November, intensifying the political standoff over funding.
USDA orders benefit reversal
In its memo to regional SNAP directors, the USDA stated that any actions already taken to distribute full November payments were unauthorized. “Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025,” the memo said. It also directed states to “advise the appropriate FNS Regional Office representative of steps taken to correct any actions taken that do not comply with this memorandum.”
The USDA warned that failure to comply could result in sanctions, “including cancellation of the Federal share of State administrative costs and holding States liable for any overissuances that result from the noncompliance.”
Some 42 million Americans depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to put food on the table. The program’s future hangs in the balance as lawmakers remain deadlocked.
Broader shutdown fallout
The government shutdown, now the longest in US history at 40 days, has disrupted numerous services. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay.
Air traffic operations are also strained. Many air traffic controllers under the Federal Aviation Administration have skipped shifts amid paycheck delays, forcing the FAA to ground flights ahead of Thanksgiving.
Courts enter the fray
Although the USDA planned to halt SNAP distributions on November 1, a Rhode Island federal court ordered it to use contingency funds to continue payments. A November 3 filing noted the USDA “is complying with the Court’s order and will fulfill its obligation to expend the full amount of SNAP contingency funds.”
President Trump later posted on Truth Social that, despite the court’s ruling, his administration would withhold benefits until the shutdown ends. The USDA appealed the lower court ruling, and the Supreme Court granted a temporary hold on the Rhode Island order as legal challenges proceed.