SNAP Benefits for Millions of Texans Threatened as Federal Shutdown Drags Into Fourth Week
Texas SNAP benefits are at risk as the federal shutdown continues into its fourth week. Millions could miss their November food assistance payments if funding isn’t restored soon.
TEXAS — As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, uncertainty is growing for millions of Texans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to feed their families. If the shutdown continues beyond October 27, 2025, November SNAP benefits may not be distributed, leaving vulnerable households without crucial food assistance.
The shutdown, which began on October 1, has halted congressional appropriations needed to fund several federal programs, including SNAP. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has limited contingency funds, officials have yet to confirm whether those resources will cover November benefits.
According to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), October benefits have already been issued and remain usable, but funding for the next cycle is frozen until federal lawmakers reach an agreement.
Impact Across Texas
Texas is home to nearly 3.5 million SNAP recipients, including 1.7 million children, about one in seven residents statewide. SNAP not only helps low-income families buy groceries but also injects over $600 million monthly into local economies, benefiting grocers, farmers, and food suppliers.
Without new federal funding, the state cannot issue November benefits. Families may face empty pantries during one of the most expensive times of the year. Past shutdowns, such as the one in 2018–2019, delayed SNAP payments for weeks, forcing states to rely on food banks and emergency aid.
Growing Hardship for Texas Families
The shutdown’s ripple effects are already visible. Military personnel stationed across Texas, including Fort Cavazos and Joint Base San Antonio, continue to work without pay. Federal workers and contractors are facing furloughs or missed paychecks, further tightening household budgets.
Food banks across the state, including those under Feeding Texas, have reported a sharp increase in requests for emergency food assistance, some from families of active-duty service members. Economists estimate the shutdown could cost the Texas economy $1–2 billion monthly due to decreased consumer spending.
How Texans Can Get Help
Residents who depend on SNAP are urged to:
Conserve benefits and prioritize essential groceries. Find emergency food aid at local pantries via feedingtexas.org or by calling 2-1-1. Keep eligibility current by renewing SNAP applications through YourTexasBenefits.com. Contact federal representatives to urge immediate action to restore funding.
As of October 26, Congress remains gridlocked over funding priorities. Lawmakers are expected to resume talks next week, but without swift resolution, millions of families could go without essential aid.
This developing situation highlights the growing fragility of Texas’s safety net and how federal political stalemates can have devastating local consequences.
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