USDA Advises Pause on November SNAP Benefits

The ongoing federal government shutdown has led the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to advise states to pause processing November SNAP/CalFresh benefits due to insufficient federal funds, putting millions of recipients at risk. Several places are already facing or preparing for interruptions — Pennsylvania suspended November SNAP payments affecting nearly two million residents, and state-specific impacts include roughly 700,000 Missourians, about 66,471 Alaskans, roughly 440,000 Minnesotans, about 188,000 Kansans, 35,000 San Mateo County residents, and 14,000 Northshore households. Food banks and pantries from Kansas City and Anchorage to Santa Fe, Minnesota and Louisiana are bracing for surges, stretching inventories, altering hours and distribution, and appealing for donations. State agencies say they continue to process new applications and recertifications; some (including California) have secured alternative funding for November, but officials warn technical and vendor challenges make other workarounds (like reprogramming systems or issuing paper warrants) difficult and that an Oct. 28 action deadline could determine interruptions. Recipients are being urged to stretch October benefits where possible, contact local food banks and services for immediate help, and monitor agency notices while the situation remains fluid pending a federal resolution.