The October 2025 government shutdown is causing serious problems for millions of Americans who rely on SNAP and WIC for food. While SNAP benefits are safe for now, WIC is already running out of money only a week into the shutdown.
SNAP, also known as food stamps, helps over 40 million people buy groceries every month. The USDA sent out all October SNAP payments in mid-September, before the shutdown began on October 1. That means everyone will still get their benefits on time this month. People can use their EBT cards as usual at stores and markets.
But November benefits are not guaranteed. The USDA normally sends the files for the next month’s payments by mid-October. If the shutdown continues past that point, November SNAP benefits could be delayed. The government might use emergency funds to cover payments, but no one knows how much money is left. Under President Biden, there was about $6 billion in reserves, but the Trump administration has not said how much remains or if they will use it.
While SNAP is stable for October, WIC is in crisis now. The Women, Infants, and Children program helps about 7 million people, including mothers, babies, and toddlers. The National WIC Association warned that many states could run out of money within one to two weeks if the shutdown continues. Some families may soon lose access to baby formula and healthy foods.
WIC only has about $150 million in backup funds and another $135 million from baby formula rebates to keep going. Experts say this won’t last long. States can use their own money to help for now, but many can’t afford to. This means some families may lose help faster than others.
Here’s why this shutdown is especially bad for WIC:
- It began on October 1, the start of the new fiscal year.
- States never got their October–December WIC funds.
- In past shutdowns, states still had leftover money to use.
SNAP works differently. The USDA sets aside money for each month’s benefits before the new month begins. This process gives SNAP a small cushion during shutdowns. But earlier in 2025, the Government Accountability Office questioned this method, though the report does not affect benefits right now.
Even during the shutdown, SNAP offices and websites are still open. People can apply for benefits, renew their cases, and report changes as usual. For example, New York is still processing SNAP applications both online and in person.
EBT cards are working normally. SNAP benefits stay on cards for up to 274 days after they’re added. The only small issue is if a store’s EBT license expires during the shutdown — it can’t renew until the government reopens.
During the last big shutdown in 2018–2019, the USDA had to send out benefits early so people could eat. Congress also passed a quick fix to fund SNAP for another month. But this time, the situation looks tougher. The Trump administration asked agencies to plan for permanent job cuts instead of temporary furloughs, which could slow recovery even after the shutdown ends.
At the same time, SNAP benefits increased on October 1, 2025, because of inflation updates tied to the Thrifty Food Plan. This means most families now get slightly more money each month. The shelter and housing deduction limits also went up, helping more people qualify for benefits. These updates still took effect even though the government is closed.
In Congress, Democrats and Republicans are fighting over funding. Democrats want a short-term bill to fully fund SNAP and WIC, while Republicans want to freeze funding, which would cut support by about $600 million once inflation is included.
The White House said it plans to use tariff money to keep WIC running for now, but Congress must approve this move before it can happen.
If the shutdown continues past mid-October, SNAP could face delays and WIC could stop completely in many states. That means millions of families could struggle to buy food and baby formula. The next few days will decide if these programs can keep helping people through November.
