The ongoing 2025 federal government shutdown has continued to leave the approximately 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP facing sudden disruptions in their food assistance.
Many states are scrambling to fill the gap, but families need immediate help now.
Losing SNAP benefits isn’t just about fewer groceries. It triggers food insecurity, mental health strain, and financial ripple effects that compound quickly when budgets are already tight.
If your benefits have stopped or might stop soon, or if you want to help people in your community, here are the resources you need to know about right now.
3 National Resources Everyone Can Access
USDA SNAP State Directory
The USDA maintains a State Directory of Resources for SNAP recipients, including food banks and additional aid.
This should be your first stop.
Call their hotline at 1-866-348-6479 or visit their website to locate your state agency contact and local food banks.
Food Bank Networks
Non-profits like Feeding America are mobilizing to increase support during SNAP disruptions.
In Texas, the “Find My Food Bank” network was activated specifically to help families when SNAP payments drop. Most states have similar emergency food networks ramping up capacity right now.
Emergency Cash & Grocery Credit Apps
Some apps are offering emergency assistance.
For example, a partnership between Propel and GiveDirectly launched cash payments to households with children on maximum SNAP allotments.
Check if you qualify for these digital emergency funds while waiting for benefits to resume.
5 State-Specific Emergency Responses
Several states have declared emergencies and allocated significant funding. Here’s what’s happening:
New York
New York Governor Hochul has declared a state of emergency and allocated approximately $65 million to food banks as SNAP aid faces a cutoff. Organizations like Food Bank for New York City and City Harvest have activated emergency food-pantry networks.
California
The state is forwarding approximately $80 million to food banks, with National Guard involvement in distribution.
This represents one of the largest state-level emergency food responses in recent history.
Michigan
Nearly 1.4 million residents rely on SNAP, and the state is warning of delays while urging people to access community resources immediately.
Don’t wait—connect with local food banks now if you’re affected.
Oregon
Governor Kotek has declared a food emergency and directed $5 million to the food-bank network to prepare for increased demand.
Washington
Washington DSHS has compiled a resource list specifically for SNAP recipients whose benefits may stop. Check your state’s Department of Social and Health Services website for similar local guidance.
If your state isn’t listed here, check your state’s human services or health department website via the USDA directory. Many states are activating emergency responses, but haven’t made national news yet.
What to Do If You’ve Lost SNAP Benefits
Immediate steps:
Check your EBT card balance and look for any state alerts about your account status.
Contact your state SNAP agency immediately to verify your status and ask about supplemental programs you might qualify for.
Locate food banks and pantries using the USDA directory. Don’t assume you know where they all are. New emergency sites are opening specifically for this crisis.
Explore emergency cash and grocery-credit programs through apps and community partnerships if they’re available in your area.
Budget adjustments:
Focus on low-cost nutritious staples like beans, rice, pasta, frozen vegetables, eggs, and seasonal produce that stretch furthest.
Bulk buying saves money when possible, and meal planning prevents waste when every dollar counts.
Community resources:
Churches, mutual-aid networks, and local nonprofits often provide emergency food assistance outside official channels. Ask around.
These resources exist but aren’t always well-publicized.
Mental health matters:
Food insecurity triggers anxiety and stress.
If you’re struggling emotionally with this situation, connect with mental health support. Many community health centers offer free or sliding-scale counseling.
How to Help Others
If you’re not directly affected but want to help your community, here’s where your effort matters most:
Share resources widely. Many people don’t know where to turn. Forward state and national resource lists to neighbors, community groups, and social media.
Volunteer or donate to local food banks, especially ones preparing for surge demand. They need both money and hands right now.
Raise awareness. Talk about these resources in your community like at work, at school, in parent groups. Someone near you needs this information and doesn’t know where to find it.
Support policy action. Contact local government representatives about emergency relief or advocate through nonprofit networks for expanded support.
Some companies are stepping up, too. DoorDash and other delivery platforms are waiving fees and donating grocery credits for SNAP recipients. Share information about corporate assistance programs when you see them.
Act Now, Not Later
The government shutdown is causing unprecedented disruptions to SNAP benefits, and waiting to see what happens could leave families without food for weeks.
Whether you’re directly affected or helping someone else, these resources can mitigate the immediate impact.
Food aid isn’t just a government benefit. It’s a lifeline for 42 million Americans. Use the directories, tap emergency networks, and build community support now.
The gap between when benefits stop and when they resume could mean the difference between managing and a crisis for millions of households.
Don’t wait to see if this affects you or someone you know. Get informed, share resources, and act while emergency support systems are still ramping up.
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