WASHINGTON (October 31, 2025) On the eve of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cessation of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Alliance to End Hunger calls on Members of Congress and the Administration to use available resources – including contingency funds and other USDA funds – to ensure that people and families can access food, even as the government shutdown continues.
The Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and senior nutrition programs also need additional emergency funding to keep programs running without interruption until the regular appropriations process set funding levels for the coming year.
Today, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins reaffirmed the October 24 announcement that the agency would cease funding SNAP starting on November 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown – stating that previously-appropriated contingency funds are not available since Congress has not passed spending bills for the current fiscal year. However, USDA has funded SNAP through previous government shutdowns and they can do so now. The Alliance to End Hunger joins anti-hunger organizations, mayors, faith-based groups, and others who support basic human needs in urging USDA to reconsider its position and use the funds to avoid a possible food insecurity crisis. Steps to maintain SNAP benefits both can and should be taken as the shutdown continues.
The Alliance is deeply concerned by the possible lasting damage to lives, livelihoods, and communities across the country.
“42 million people in the United States rely on food assistance through SNAP. 80 percent of families that take part in the program have children, older adults, and/or a person with disabilities within their household. Additionally, countless low-wage workers, veterans, homeless people, recent foster youth, and elderly people count on SNAP benefits to help make ends meet,” states Eric Mitchell, president of the Alliance to End Hunger. “When these vulnerable people and families have their benefits cut off at short notice, it will not only hurt them, but also the wider community around them. Grocery stores, food banks, agriculture, transport, local economies… everything will begin to feel these impacts.”
Mitchell continued: “USDA has both the authority and ability to maintain food assistance benefits throughout the shutdown, and they should for the sake and health of our vulnerable families and communities.”
In addition to urging the use of contingency funds by USDA, the Alliance to End Hunger calls on Congress to return to work and ensure that people can access the food they need. Regardless of political party, we must do whatever it takes to defend those most in need in this country.
