Due to the government shutdown, the SNAP program’s food stamps for more than forty-two million people will expire on November 1. Approximately twenty-two million households won’t receive the needed benefits to feed their families. How is this possible? Let’s take a look.
What is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?
The SNAP program is the federal program that provides monthly food-purchasing assistance to low-income individuals and families across the United States. Formerly known as “food stamps,” SNAP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through state agencies. Children account for 39% of SNAP recipients – over 16MM kids. The average benefit per person:
- Average monthly benefit per person: $190.59 – $6.35 per day on a 30-day month.
- Average monthly benefit per household: $356.41 – $12.18 per day on a 30-day month for a family.
- These funds are used for essential food items like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat
States with the highest number of recipients:
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Some states, like New Mexico, have the highest share of residents on SNAP—21.5% of the population.
Why Are the Program Benefits Expiring?
The government shutdown is the reason these benefits are expiring. The government had enough money to pay them for October, but that’s it. It is unconscionable to think that our federal government allows this to happen to those who need the most assistance. In my previous article, Shutdown Analysis: What Happened This Time?, I spoke about how Congress prioritized party loyalty over the citizens they swore to serve. The fact that they can not work together to avoid these critical benefits from expiring shows us how useless this Congress is. Every person in Congress should lose their job over this.
Let’s not give the Executive Branch a pass on this either. Where are the President and VP, who should be working with Congress to avoid this loss of benefits? There isn’t any urgency on the federal government’s part to pay or feed those impacted. This is completely unacceptable. To be clear, this isn’t a statement about Democrats or Republicans. This statement concerns our federal employees not doing their jobs and using people as political footballs.
The Catholic View
Matthew 25:31-46 – “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations* will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.”
Where Can The People Impacted Get Assistance?
Families affected by the SNAP benefit suspension can seek immediate food assistance at local food banks, pantries, and emergency distribution centers:
Additional Support
- Dial 211: Free, confidential help to locate food, shelter, and other services.
- Feeding America: Use their food bank locator to search by ZIP code.
- School Meal Programs: Many schools offer students free meals regardless of SNAP status.
What to Bring
- Photo ID and proof of address (if available)
- Birth certificate for children (if requesting formula or diapers)
- No documentation? Most locations will still serve you.
Tips for Visiting
- Expect lines—dress warmly and arrive early.
- Some locations offer delivery or pickup options—call ahead to confirm.
- You can skip the optional race, ethnicity, or citizenship questions and still receive food.
Please share your thoughts about this article in the “Comments” section.
Peace
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