Millions of Americans rely on SNAP benefits to tackle rising grocery costs. SNAP served an average of 41.7 million people each month in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But as of writing, the government shutdown means that SNAP benefits might not be funded in November.
If you are losing your SNAP benefits, here's how to manage the fallout.
Get instant access to hundreds of discounts
Over 50? Join AARP today— because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks like discounts on travel, dining, and even prescriptions.
Get 25% off membership — just $15 for your first year with auto-renewal — and a free gift if you join today.
What are SNAP benefits, and where are they going?
SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, serves approximately 42 million Americans each month. With the government shutdown continuing, the lack of funding may result in suspended benefits in November. Unfortunately, this may leave anyone relying on the program in an unexpected financial pinch.
If you'll be losing your SNAP benefits, even temporarily, the following resources may help you make ends meet until the government reopens and funding continues.
What does this mean for people on SNAP?
Anyone losing their SNAP benefits might immediately feel pressure on their budget. After all, only people with eligible incomes can qualify to receive SNAP benefits. So, if they are living on a tight budget, losing this benefit could put significant financial pressure on any household.
As of writing, some states, like California, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa and Colorado, are stepping up to bridge the gap. For example, in California, Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed the state's National Guard and California Volunteers to support food banks. Additionally, Newsom has accelerated $80 million in state support to local food banks.
Other states may follow suit. But regardless of where you live, there are resources to help you through this tight financial situation.
Resources for people losing SNAP benefits
Finding the right resources can make a world of difference when keeping food on the table. Below are some places to look for help.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1 <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 45% before fees, or 20% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>
Sign up for a free debt assessment here.
Local food banks and pantries
Start by looking for a local food bank or pantry near you. If you aren't sure where to look, Feeding America's food bank finder is an excellent tool. Finding a food bank could help you fill the gaps in your diet. And with extra funding from states in some locations, food banks might have more stock than normal.
Community and faith-based groups
Many community and faith-based groups offer food-sharing programs. While the details of these food share programs vary based on the group, you might be surprised by just how much is on offer through these amazing volunteer groups.
For example, you might find church-based farm shares, which provide fresh veggies and meat. Look around for local groups offering support during this difficult time. You might find this information via word of mouth, social media pages, or even flyers around town.
Company support
Some companies are offering support for customers during this temporary lapse in SNAP benefits.
DoorDash is waiving delivery fees. If you have a SNAP/EBT card linked to your DoorDash profile, you can shop without a delivery or service fee on a single order at eligible stores. The eligible stores include Sprouts, Dollar General, Schnucks, Food Lion, Giant Foods, The GIANT Company, Hannaford, Stop & Shop, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle, and Wegmans. Also, DoorDash's Project DASH is powering delivery on behalf of food banks and food pantries.
GoPuff, a delivery service, is offering SNAP recipients $50 off grocery orders. This gesture is broken into two $25 credits for the month of November, if you have a SNAP/EBT card linked to your profile.
Diaper banks
If you have young kids with diaper needs, this can add up to a significant expense without SNAP benefits to cover some of the costs. Luckily, many organizations offer diaper banks to help you bridge the gap between what you have at home and what you need to get through this month.
The National Diaper Bank Network provides a tool to help connect you with local diaper bank options.
Community kitchens
Community kitchens across the country serve hot food to hungry Americans. If you need a meal, these no-questions-asked programs can help you. For example, the Food Bank for NYC offers a community kitchen serving 100,00 free meals each month.
Lean on public transportation
If your budget is pressed thin due to missing SNAP benefits, cutting costs anywhere else might help during this temporary funding gap. For example, cutting back on gas purchases by leaning on free or affordable public transportation options could help you squeeze extra pennies out of your budget.
Give mystery shopping a try
Although this might be more of a long shot, sometimes mystery shopping gigs involve eating at restaurants to evaluate the experience. Signing up as a shopper for one of these companies could give you a chance to get paid for eating, a double win.
Bottom line
SNAP benefits might be going away, at least temporarily, in November. In addition to seeking out community resources, save money next time you go shopping with shopping hacks like clipping coupons and seeking out sales.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
- Find out if you're overpaying for car insurance in just a few clicks.
- Make these 7 savvy moves when you have $1,000 in the bank.
- 14 benefits seniors are entitled to but often forget to claim
/images/2018/01/23/navina-side-hustle-mid_MPfEDfV.jpg) 
                        /images/2019/12/06/smart_strategies_to_save_money_on_car_insurance.jpg) 
                        :format(webp)/images/2025/10/28/snap-benefits-store-signage.jpg) 
            /authors/sarah-sharkey-headshot.jpg) 
            
            /authors/headshot_pvIeQyt.png) 
            
            /images/2021/04/21/adobestock_192812280_1200x628.jpg) 
      /images/2019/12/06/smart_strategies_to_save_money_on_car_insurance.jpg) 
      /images/2025/01/28/adobestock_628402894_1.jpeg) 
      /images/2024/09/04/adobestock_669069249_editorial_use_only_1.jpeg) 
      /images/2020/03/02/tattoo-woman-bar.jpeg) 
      /images/2020/12/21/smiling-couple-looking-at-laptop-screen.jpeg) 
      /images/2025/01/23/discover_it_cash_back_card_art_gold.png) 
            
            
          /images/2025/02/04/person_using_card_in_atm.jpg) 
          /images/2020/06/29/pensive-woman-looking-at-laptop-screen.jpeg) 
          /images/2023/04/14/fit_woman_having_fun_with_adorable_mongrel_dogs.jpg) 
          /images/2025/10/28/snap-benefits-store-signage.jpg) 
          /images/2024/05/06/elderly-us-marine-corps-veterans.jpg) 
          /images/2025/10/22/vintage-barbies.jpg) 
          /images/2025/09/22/person-holding-a-us-treasury-tax-refund.jpg) 
          /images/2025/10/21/signing-a-will.jpg) 
          /images/2019/05/15/woman-calculating-if-paying-off-credit-card-debt-help-credit-score.jpg) 
          /images/2023/04/27/man-using-laptop-while-checking-credit-score-on-smartphone.jpeg) 
          /images/2025/10/16/groceries-on-counter.jpg)