The Trump administration is warning states that there will be "insufficient funds" to pay full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the government shutdown extends past October, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: It's the administration's latest warning of painful consequences if the shutdown continues, as military service members are set to miss their first paycheck and federal agencies begin mass layoffs.
- "As stated in our lapse of appropriation correspondence dated October 1, 2025, SNAP has funding available for benefits and operations through the month of October," Ronald Ward, the acting associate administrator of SNAP, said in a letter to state agencies viewed by Axios.
- "However, if the current lapse in appropriations continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the Nation."
State of play: The letter directs states not to begin the process of distributing benefits to SNAP recipients' electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards for November "until further notice."
- "Considering the operational issues and constraints that exist in automated systems, and in the interest of preserving maximum flexibility, we are forced to direct States to hold their November issuance files and delay transmission to State EBT vendors," the letter says.
- A person familiar with the matter told Axios that, if the cards were loaded up, it could violate the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from spending money that hasn't been appropriated by Congress.
What they're saying: "This is on the Democrats — they chose to shut down the government," an administration official told Axios.
- "If they want these benefits to continue, they should join Republicans in voting to open the government next week."
