WASHINGTON – The federal government shutdown poses a threat to food assistance benefits. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services announced that if federal funding is not restored, food benefits will not be issued after Oct. 31.
Cash benefits for November 2025 will still be distributed as usual.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) currently lacks federal funding to distribute benefits. In September, over 540,000 households in Washington received more than $173 million in food benefits. This assistance reached nearly 930,000 people across the state.
Benton and Franklin counties alone have about 40,000 residents relying on these benefits. The Oregon Department of Human Services issued a similar warning, stating that if the shutdown lasts into November, SNAP benefits won’t be issued until funding resumes.
The situation could lead to temporary layoffs for hundreds of employees who support the SNAP program. This may result in longer wait times in call centers and offices starting November 4.
Once Congress and President Trump reach a budget agreement, food benefits will resume.
