Copyright newsweek
As the federal government shutdown drags into its 24th day, millions of American families are bracing for the possibility that November’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not arrive on time. A new survey by Propel, the company behind an app of the same name that helps SNAP recipients manage their benefits, shows that many who rely on food stamps to pay for groceries will face significant hardship, including skipping meals and turning to food banks, if their November benefits are not delivered on time. Why It Matters The potential disruption comes as the government shutdown, now over three weeks long, continues without a resolution. Congress failed to pass a budget or temporary funding measure before the federal fiscal year ended on October 1, forcing many federal agencies to cease all non-mandatory operations. Although SNAP is a mandatory program, its funding depends on congressional approval. Without a budget or stopgap measure, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cannot issue new benefits beyond those already financed. Some 42 million Americans collect SNAP benefits, which are paid monthly onto electronic benefit transfer cards. But if the government doesn’t reopen soon, these cards will not be loaded. What To Know Propel surveyed 2,463 active SNAP users between October 20 and 21, 2025, to assess how a potential delay in SNAP payments would impact them. If the November benefits are not distributed, 60 percent said they would turn to food banks for help, 44 percent said they would skip meals, and one-third said they would delay paying other bills to make ends meet. According to the survey, 59 percent of respondents said they have not been able to prepare at all for a missed payment, and 73 percent reported feeling “extremely stressed” about affording food next month. Another 61.5 percent said they feel “very unsupported” by government agencies or local organizations. The impact would be immediate and far-reaching. Across the country, roughly 42 million people rely on SNAP to afford groceries. For many, missing a month of benefits could mean hunger. “It wouldn’t bother me if it was just me, but I have children that need to eat, and it terrifies me that they might go hungry because of the shutdown,” Auntranelia, a SNAP recipient, told the company. Another recipient, Destinee, told the company: “I’m pregnant with a baby so nutrition and food is very paramount to me at this stage. It would be detrimental to my health without my benefits.” What People Are Saying Propel founder and CEO Jimmy Chen said in a press release: “Delaying the November SNAP deposit isn’t a minor inconvenience – it’s a life-changing event for tens of millions of people.” Justin King, the company’s policy director, said in a press release: “Households are telling us that missing out on November SNAP payments would be a seismic event for them. All of the backup plans that people are preparing to enact – borrowing, trying to visit food banks, putting off other bills – have their own costs and downstream effects. We’re setting people up to fail.” Laura Bronstein, dean of the Binghamton University College of Public Affairs at Binghamton University and director of the Institute for Justice & Well-Being, told Newsweek that SNAP recipients should “shop now and buy foods that freeze well (meat, certain vegetables, and fruits), and stock up on canned items that are on sale. Look for ‘buy one get one free’ or ‘buy one get one half off’ deals on frozen and shelf-stable foods. Also consider buying staple items that stretch meals, such as rice and beans, or plan for ‘one dish’ meals that are filling, such as spaghetti and meat sauce, chili, soups, or casseroles.” What Happens Next As the government shutdown continues with no signs of an agreement between Democrats and Republicans, SNAP beneficiaries will have to wait and see whether their benefits will be issued for November. However, it does not mean that the benefits won’t be paid at all. Once the federal government has reopened, SNAP benefits for November will be paid, followed by December payments.
