WASHINGTON — As SNAP benefits lapsed at the start of the month, state governments are trying to find ways to fill the void.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — more commonly known as SNAP, or food stamps — is a key benefits program that serves more than 40 million people across the country. Now, the shutdown lurched benefits to a halt, raising concerns over where millions of people who rely on the program will turn to for food.
The Agriculture Department said last month, in a message on its website, that payments would not be issued on Nov. 1, the first time in recent history that the program has been suspended because of a shutdown. The department also said in a memo that contingency funds "are not legally available to cover regular benefits," a move that several Democratic governors have urged the administration to pursue.
A federal judge ruled on Friday that the Agriculture Department must disburse full or partial SNAP benefits this week. The administration said on Monday that it would partially fund SNAP benefits in November using contingency funds.
Reached for comment last month on the future of SNAP, a Department of Agriculture spokesperson said, "We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats."
"Continue to hold out for healthcare for illegals or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive timely WIC and SNAP allotments," the spokesperson continued, referring to a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children.
NBC News reached out to all 50 states and Washington, D.C., to ask for potential contingency plans. Many states are pointing residents to local food banks, with some encouraging people to buy shelf-stable food to prepare.
But some governors are providing emergency funds to support food banks or directing their state's National Guard to help facilitate donations, among other actions. Democratic leaders from 25 states also announced they would sue the Agriculture Department over the November SNAP suspensions.
We’d like to hear from you about how you’re experiencing the government shutdown, whether you’re a federal employee who can’t work right now, a person who relies on federal benefits like SNAP, or someone who is feeling the effects of other shuttered services in your everyday life. Please contact us at [email protected] or reach out to us here.
Here are the states that have announced actions to help residents who are losing SNAP benefits. NBC News will update this list as more plans become available.
Arizona
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs said Wednesday that she'll disburse $1.8 million in state funds to help Arizonans affected by the lapse in federal benefits. Of that amount, $1.5 million will be allocated to food banks across the state.
The other $300,000 will go toward a new emergency fresh food program. Hobbs said that thousands of SNAP households in the state will be able to access a $30 voucher to purchase fresh produce at participating grocery stores, farmers markets and mobile markets.
Nearly 900,000 Arizonans use SNAP benefits, according to the state attorney general's office.
Arkansas
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, announced in a press release that her office directed $500,000 to food bank networks across the state.
"Should the shutdown continue past next week, the Governor will consider additional, weekly allocations to those food banks," the press release said.
Her office also said that the website HelpArkansas.com would point residents to food resources.
In 2023, more than 268,000 residents used SNAP benefits, according to Census Bureau data.
California
Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, deployed the state's National Guard troops and California Volunteers — a state office that organizes volunteer efforts — to support food banks by helping to prepare food for distribution. Newsom is also "fast-tracking" about $80 million worth of state support to food banks, according to a press release.
Because of some residents' anxiety around the Trump administration’s deployment of troops in the state, the National Guard assistance would take place behind-the-scenes at food banks that request their support, an official with the governor's office said.
About 5.5 million Californians use SNAP assistance, according to the governor's office.
Colorado
Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, submitted a request to the state general assembly's joint budget committee for up to $10 million in funds for food banks and pantries, his office said.
The governor's office also submitted a request to extend previously approved funding for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which provides food for pregnant women and children up to age 5. The state also launched a "Feeding Colorado" initiative to encourage donations to food banks and set up a map depicting where SNAP users live.
More than 600,000 Coloradans use SNAP benefits, according to the state government.
Connecticut
Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, announced that the state would provide $3 million in emergency funds to Connecticut Foodshare, a nonprofit that supports food banks.
"While this $3 million in emergency funding will not fill the entire gap left by the federal government, it represents our state’s commitment to supporting our neighbors during this crisis," Lamont said in a statement.
About 360,000 Connecticut residents will be affected by SNAP delays, according to Connecticut Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves.
Delaware
Gov. Matt Meyer, a Democrat, announced on Wednesday that he was declaring a state of emergency to fund SNAP benefits starting next week.
The benefits would be provided on a week-by-week basis, he said, saying later that he believed the state would be able to fund SNAP benefits through November if the shutdown continued.
Meyer also announced his administration would provide further assistance to food pantries across the state. He encouraged residents to donate to food banks if they are able.
More than 120,000 Delaware residents use SNAP benefits, according to the governor's office.
Guam
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero signed a law Monday covering $12.3 million in SNAP and $800,000 in WIC benefits till the end of November, her office said in a press release.
The bill appropriates approximately $33 million in unobligated excess tax and fee revenues from the 2025 fiscal year budget, the press release said.
Around 40,000 people in Guam receive SNAP benefits — nearly a third of the territory's population — according to Leon Guerrero's office.
Hawaii
Hawaii opened applications on Wednesday for a relief program, the governor's office announced. Residents do not need to be on SNAP to apply to the program, which is also partnering with non-governmental groups.
The program will provide up to four months of support from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program "for housing and utility payments for eligible families who have at least one dependent child in their household and are in financial crisis or have an episode of need," the news release said.
Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat, also announced that the state would provide $2 million to food banks.
About 165,000 residents use SNAP benefits, according to the governor's office.
Illinois
Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, signed an executive order on Thursday to direct $20 million to food banks and "to mitigate the harmful policies and actions taken by the Trump Administration," his office said in a press release.
Nearly 2 million Illinois residents use SNAP benefits, the release said.
Iowa
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, asked the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to stay in touch with food banks "so that we are aware of their current inventory and their ability to increase food orders and distribution if necessary," according to a press release last week.
In a separate release on Thursday, Reynolds' office said she ordered the Iowa National Guard to prepare for duty, adding that "the Guard will be available as needed to conduct food distribution missions statewide, as it did during the pandemic."
She also directed the state's Department of Health and Human Services to use state funds "to match all cash donations to Iowa’s six regional food banks up to $1 million dollars beginning Monday, November 3" if the shutdown continues.
About 131,000 Iowa households are eligible for SNAP, according to the release.
Kentucky
Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, announced that the state would temporarily fund the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in November. TANF typically receives federal support, but the state has not received funds during the shutdown.
The move “will help some of the same families” that use SNAP, Beshear said on Tuesday.
More than 600,000 use SNAP, according to the governor's office.
Louisiana
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, declared a state of emergency to respond to the impact of the government shutdown on SNAP benefits.
Among other steps, a state of emergency could allow the Legislature to authorize stabilization funds if two-thirds of its members agree. But it's unclear if the declaration will lead to the state government providing direct relief.
More than 792,000 Louisiana residents rely on SNAP, according to the state of emergency.
Maine
Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, announced that $1 million in the governor's contingency account would go toward food banks and other programs to fight hunger.
Mills' office also announced in the press release that $250,000 from the John T. Gorman Foundation would also go toward these efforts.
About 170,000 Maine residents use SNAP benefits, the press release said.
Maryland
Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, declared a state of emergency on Thursday "to address the economic impacts of the federal government shutdown," his office announced in a press release.
Moore also issued an executive order to provide $10 million from the Fiscal Responsibility Fund to "food security partners."
About 680,000 residents use SNAP, the press release said.
Massachusetts
Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, announced on Thursday that her administration would funnel more state money to local food banks.
Healey "is advancing an additional $4 million of these existing resources appropriated in the state budget for November, bringing the monthly total to $8 million" for food banks, according to a press release.
The press release said that more than 1.1 million state residents use SNAP benefits.
Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, announced that the state would provide $4.5 million in funds to the Food Bank Council of Michigan.
The program will help provide food for Michigan residents as well as food delivery "to those who can’t drive to their local food bank," a press release said.
About 1.4 million Michiganders receive food benefits, according to the release.
Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, announced that the state would provide $4 million in new funding for food shelves. Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families expects most of the funds will be spent on buying food, according to a press release.
About 440,000 Minnesotans use benefits from SNAP and the Minnesota Family Investment Program, according to the governor's office.
Missouri
Gov. Mike Kehoe, a Republican, announced he would distribute $5 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to food banks.
"This action takes the place of a regular appropriation typically issued later in the year but is being issued now given an increase in need due the loss of SNAP benefits," his office said in a press release.
The governor also directed $10.6 million to be transferred to the Missouri Area Agencies on Aging to help provide meals for seniors.
More than 666,000 people in Missouri received SNAP benefits in 2022, according to the Census Bureau.
Nevada
Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, said in a letter to members of Congress from the state that he directed state teams "to expand support for food banks and community partners that serve SNAP beneficiaries."
He also said he was "prepared to engage the Nevada National Guard" to help with food distribution.
About 500,000 Nevadans use SNAP, according to a letter from three Nevada members of Congress to the state's governor.
New Hampshire
The state said it is planning to work with the New Hampshire Food Bank to help SNAP recipients access food.
The food bank "will provide mobile food pantries specifically for SNAP participants," a government website said.
More than 75,000 New Hampshire residents receive SNAP benefits, according to the state government.
New Jersey
The office of Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said in a press release that the state was "accelerating the delivery of food and hunger grants" to food banks.
More than $42 million in grants were "expedited," the release said.
More than 800,000 people in New Jersey receive SNAP benefits, the press release said.
New Mexico
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Wednesday that her administration will provide $30 million in state funds "to ensure that low-income children and families, seniors and New Mexicans with disabilities continue to receive food benefits amidst an ongoing federal government shutdown."
The governor said the funds will be distributed through the state's Health Care Authority to existing electronic benefit transfer cards for eligible New Mexicans on Saturday. She said the goal is to help feed residents through "roughly the first 10 days of November."
There are 460,000 people in New Mexico who receive SNAP benefits, the governor said. At 21% of the state's population, that's the highest participation rate in the country, she added.
New York
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday declared a state of emergency and committed "an additional $65 million in new State funds for emergency food assistance that will reinforce New York’s network of vital food bank and pantry partners," according to a press release.
"The Trump Administration would rather starve children and families than lift a finger to help them put food on the table," Hochul, a Democrat, said on X. "I’m declaring a State of Emergency to use every tool we have to help the three million New Yorkers losing food assistance because of the GOP shutdown."
The press release noted that the total amount of state funds allocated to emergency food assistance reached $106 million. Hochul also said she will deploy Empire State Service Corps and SUNY Corps members "to support local food banks during this emergency period of increased need, and continuing to explore food hubs at schools."
SUNY has hundreds of students who serve as "peer navigators," helping with food assistance, the press release said. Empire State Service Corps typically helps with a variety of initiatives, including tutoring, disaster relief and supporting food banks.
Nearly three million New Yorkers use SNAP benefits, according to Hochul's office.
North Carolina
Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, on Thursday directed nearly $18 million in contributions to local food banks due to SNAP benefits lapsing, according to a press release announcing the move.
The press release said the contributions include $10 million from the state of North Carolina, $5 million from AmeriHealth Caritas, $2.5 million from the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation and more from other organizations.
More than 1.4 million North Carolinians use SNAP, according to the press release.
North Dakota
Gov. Kelly Armstrong, a Republican, said he directed more than $1.5 million in state funds to help food programs.
$915,000 of the funds will go toward food banks and $600,000 will support the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program, according to a press release.
More than 56,000 residents use SNAP benefits, the press release said.
Ohio
Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, signed an executive order Thursday to provide as much as $25 million in food assistance for residents who will be affected by the lapse in SNAP funding.
The governor directed the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to allocate $7 million to food banks and as much as $18 million in emergency relief benefits, delivered through periodic payments, for more than 63,000 Ohioans who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty level.
About 1.4 million Ohioans receive SNAP benefits.
Oklahoma
Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, announced with leaders of the state House and Senate that lawmakers would vote to make $1 million available to food banks each week.
The funds would be available "for up to seven weeks" and is "contingent upon lack of federal funding for SNAP" as the shutdown continues, a press release said.
In 2022, more than 679,000 people in Oklahoma used SNAP benefits, according to Census Bureau data.
Oregon
Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, declared a 60-day food security emergency and announced that her administration would direct $5 million to food banks.
The $5 million will be shifted from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) "carryover funds" and sent to food banks, according to the press release.
"Carryover can support short term crisis benefits without creating new ongoing requirements, which is ideal for this emergency," the press release said.
About 757,000 Oregonians use the food benefits, according to the governor's office.
Pennsylvania
Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, announced that his administration "is driving out $5 million in state funding immediately" to the food distribution group Feeding Pennsylvania.
Shapiro's office also announced in a press release that he signed a declaration of disaster emergency, which will "expedite" the delivery of funds and "ensure relief reaches Pennsylvanians as quickly as possible."
Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians use SNAP each month, Shapiro said.
Rhode Island
Gov. Dan McKee declared a state of emergency, his office announced on Tuesday.
The governor will use $6 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds "to provide an emergency payment to help over 20,000 eligible families with children (approximately 65,000 individuals) offset the loss of federal SNAP benefits," according to a press release.
The funds would only be allowed to go to families that qualify for TANF. The governor also announced he would use $200,000 in funds to support the RI Community Food Bank.
About 145,000 state residents use SNAP benefits.
South Carolina
Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, announced on Tuesday that he is directing the South Carolina State Guard to help food banks.
The State Guard is separate from the National Guard, and the governor's office said that the volunteer group will help food banks with areas like distribution and traffic flow.
His office also activated the Central Carolina Community Foundation's One SC Fund, according to a press release. The move "will allow for a coordinated charitable giving campaign dedicated to providing direct monetary assistance to regional food banks and local feeding partners across the state."
More than 556,000 South Carolina residents use SNAP, according to the state.
Utah
The Republican-led state Senate announced in a press release that the state was launching an initiative to commit "up to $4 million in resources to local food banks."
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, said in the same press release that the state resources would reach "small towns and city neighborhoods alike" because of the Utah Food Bank's reach across the state.
$500,000 would be "directed immediately" to food banks, the press release said.
In 2022, more than 157,000 Utah residents received SNAP benefits, according to Census Bureau data.
Vermont
Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, announced that he coordinated with state legislative leaders to approve "a temporary, state-funded contingency benefit to ensure Vermonters maintain access to food."
Scott said his administration would provide a "one-time benefit" covering the first 15 days of the month for eligible recipients.
"Payments are expected to be issued on or before November 7, 2025, and will reach more than 38,000 Vermont households," said the press release, which noted that people would receive the funds on their EBT cards.
The press release also noted that $250,000 was being directed to the Vermont Foodbank.
In 2023, more than 69,000 residents received SNAP, according to Census Bureau data.
U.S. Virgin Islands
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., who leads the U.S. territory, authorized $2.77 million to ensure that SNAP recipients get half of their November benefits as the shutdown continues, according to a press release.
Virginia
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, announced the establishment of the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance initiative on Tuesday.
The program will provide SNAP recipients with comparable state-supported funds, which will be sent to users' electronic benefit transfer cards, according to a news release from the governor's office. Recipients use EBT cards to access their benefits.
The funds will be sent weekly, starting Nov. 3, and are expected to last at least through November, the governor's office said.
Youngkin also announced that an additional $1 million in state funds would be sent to Virginia food banks during this period.
About 850,000 Virginians receive SNAP benefits, according to the governor's office.
Washington
Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, announced on Tuesday that he would direct "nearly $2.2 million per week" to support food banks. The first transfer will take place on Nov. 3 if the shutdown continues, according to a press release.
Nearly one million people in Washington use SNAP benefits, according to the governor's office.
Washington, DC
Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, said residents of the District enrolled in SNAP and WIC will receive their November benefits through the use of local funds, a press release said.
Approximately 141,000 people in the District receive SNAP benefits each month, a press release said.
West Virginia
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, said in a statement on Tuesday that his administration was launching a statewide donation drive to support food banks. Morrisey said the state had also "identified up to $13 million in funding to match private and charitable donations, potentially delivering $26 million in total food assistance statewide."
He also said that he would direct the state’s National Guard “to support food banks, food pantries, and state agencies with logistics and distribution efforts to ensure vital assistance continues despite disruptions.”
Approximately 270,000 West Virginians receive SNAP benefits, Morrisey's statement said.
Wisconsin
Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, signed an executive order to declare a state of emergency.
The executive order directs state departments to "begin enforcing against price gouging," according to a press release.
The governor does not have the authority to unilaterally appropriate funds to go toward food benefits or food pantries, according to Evers' office.
"Appropriating funding to help continue providing Wisconsin FoodShare benefits or support would require a bill to be passed by both houses of the Republican-controlled Wisconsin State Legislature, which have so far indicated they have no intention or plans to do so," the press release said.
Nearly 700,000 are losing access to food assistance, according to the governor.
Wyoming
Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, announced a "Public Welfare Emergency" and issued an executive order to authorize up to $10 million in funds "to ensure Wyoming families continue to have access to food."
The funds will go to charities and churches that have food banks, the press release said.
In 2022, more than 29,000 people in Wyoming used SNAP benefits, according to Census Bureau data.
