Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are expiring in two days amid the nearly one-month-long government shutdown. Based on 2024’s fiscal year, nearly 42 million low-income Americans relied on SNAP to afford groceries and receive crucial food assistance.
States are now scrambling to find ways to offer emergency food relief and aid after Nov. 1. Over two dozen states have sued the Trump administration for not funding SNAP. And some online companies are stepping in to help, including HelloFresh and DoorDash.
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Why SNAP benefits are expiring and why it matters
The Department of Health and Human Services’ website notes that the federal government shutdown is impacting November SNAP benefits and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Starting next month, recipients will only be able to access current funds on their EBT cards from previous months.
Since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, federal funding for multiple agencies has come to a halt. Many federal workers, such as TSA employees and air traffic controllers, have either been furloughed or missed paychecks due to the shutdown. Now SNAP — a Depression-era government-funded program that is also commonly referred to as food stamps — is at risk.
According to data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, in 2024’s fiscal year, more than 62% of people who received SNAP benefits were families with children. The average SNAP benefit for one household member was $163 per month.
According to CNN, if the government does not find a solution within the next two days to fund SNAP, the program’s benefits will be cut off for the first time in its history.
“The well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1,” a message at the top of the USDA’s website says.
Democratic leaders from 25 states are behind the lawsuit filed Tuesday against the Trump administration for its refusal to use a $6 billion contingency fund to maintain SNAP. Point 5 of the lawsuit, which was shared by Politico, reads: “USDA suspended SNAP benefits even though, on information and belief, it has funds available to it that are sufficient to fund all, or at least a substantial portion, of November SNAP benefits.”
Go online and find a food bank near you
If you aren’t reliant on SNAP, there are ways you can help those who are. To find a food bank near you, visit Feeding America’s website and type in your Zip Code. Some state government websites have similar information, but not all. You can donate food or volunteer to work in food banks.
You can also look for ways to help your community. Check charity and nonprofit websites, as well as mutual aid services, including community fridges. Facebook groups, online forums, local schools and hospitals and religious entities are also running programs to help families buy groceries or get meals delivered. Before donating food, double-check with the organization on what is most needed.
Some states offer assistance
Some state governments are activating emergency assistance to people and food banks, including in California, New York, West Virginia, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Connecticut and Washington. There will also be week-to-week state emergency benefits in Delaware, rent and utility payment relief in Hawaii, funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in Kentucky and a new Emergency Nutrition Assistance initiative to distribute funds in Virginia.
Some other states have also declared states of emergency or ordered the National Guard to help distribute food.
Meal kits and food delivery service donations
Donations and charity won’t address the food needs of more than 42 million people, but temporary measures can help relieve a bit of hardship during the benefit suspension for some households.
HelloFresh will donate $1 for each fall-themed meal kit purchased from its seasonal menu, up to a total of $50,000, to benefit No Kid Hungry, which helps SNAP and school meal programs. (Available during the weeks of Nov. 8 and Nov. 15, the two HelloFresh meal kits include creamy sun-dried tomato stuffed chicken with mashed potatoes and garlicky green beans; and crispy chicken cutlets and rigatoni in a creamy butternut squash sauce.)
Food delivery company DoorDash has launched an emergency food response to the expiration of SNAP benefits. According to a press release, the company will deliver 1 million free meals to more than 300 Project Dash food bank partners, waive delivery and service fees for SNAP recipients and donate food to local food banks from its DashMart stores.
“We know this is a stopgap, not a solution. But doing nothing simply isn’t an option,” said Max Rettig, VP and global head of Public Policy at DoorDash.
Although it is not related to the SNAP program, another popular meal kit, Home Chef, donates $100,000 each year to Feeding America.
Food delivery service Gopuff is offering SNAP recipients a $50 credit in November for all SNAP-eligible items, which will be delivered for free.
How to get your $50 SNAP credit from Gopuff
If you’re a SNAP recipient, here’s how to get $50 in credit this November:
- Make sure a SNAP EBT card has been added to your Gopuff account.
- Add SNAP-eligible items to your Gopuff shopping cart (those items will be clearly marked if eligible).
- Use code SNAPRELIEF1 at checkout for $25 off and free delivery from Nov. 1 to 15.
- Use code SNAPRELIEF2 at checkout for $25 off and free delivery from Nov. 16 to 30.
How to get SNAP items delivered for free on DoorDash
If you’re a SNAP recipient, here’s how to get free delivery and no service fees on one order during November:
- Make sure a SNAP EBT card has been added to your DoorDash account.
- Place an order at a SNAP-enabled store on DoorDash. They will be clearly marked and include Sprouts, Dollar General, Schnucks, Food Lion, Giant Foods, Hannaford, Stop & Shop, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle and Wegmans.
- Use promo code SNAPDD at checkout.
