The Food Research & Action Center reports if you rely on SNAP to put food on the table, there’s good news: October 2025 SNAP payments are expected to go out on schedule, even if the government shuts down.
Here’s why: SNAP is a federal program, but each state manages its own Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system and sends payment files to vendors by mid-month. Because October benefits are technically “obligated” in September, they’re already locked in and ready to be loaded onto EBT cards.
The worry is what happens after October. If a shutdown drags on and the USDA doesn’t give states the green light to send out November’s payment files, families could see delays or interruptions in their benefits. That would create major hardships for households and put stress on grocery stores and communities that depend on consistent SNAP spending.
For now, SNAP households should feel confident about October benefits arriving as usual. But the longer Congress stalls, the more uncertain the future becomes.
👉 For the full breakdown of how shutdowns affect SNAP, read Gina Plata-Nino’s complete analysis at the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC).