Shutdown Cuts SNAP Benefits for Millions

The federal government shutdown, poised to become the longest in U.S. history, remains unresolved as partisan leaders trade blame and negotiations stall. The impasse has disrupted SNAP: courts ordered emergency funding even as the administration announced recipients would receive only half of typical benefits, imperiling roughly 42 million enrollees and millions of households. The cutoffs have prompted state and local responses, including expanded food pantry hours, community food drives, Arizona’s temporary Food Bucks Now program ($40 per recipient funded with about $300,000), and a resident-run commercial kitchen at Independence Landing feeding people with disabilities. Lawmakers warn the impacts are mounting — affecting military families, seniors, children and furloughed workers — while recipients describe dire tradeoffs between buying food and paying rent, utilities or medicine.