Millions of Americans are facing a potential hunger crisis as the federal government shutdown and Donald Trump’s admin are cutting off food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Even Fox Business admitted what many have long warned: the funding lapse will deliver the ‘harshest blow yet’ to the country, as SNAP support for more than 41.7 million people is set to end on Nov. 1.
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a vital support system for low-income families, retirees, and working people across the country.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), about one in eight households depends on the program.
In 2024, it cost the federal government nearly $99.8 billion, with the average participant receiving around $187 per month.
A Lifeline for Working Families, Seniors, and Children
These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet, they represent real people trying to get by.
Nearly 3 in 10 households on SNAP include someone with a job, and more than half of families with kids who receive benefits also have at least one working adult.
Adults ages 18 to 59 make up the largest share of recipients at 42%, followed by children at 39% and seniors at 19%.
Trump’s OBBBA Changes Add More Barriers
While the shutdown is getting most of the attention, a deeper threat to SNAP comes straight from the Trump administration.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed by President Donald Trump on July 4, reshaped the program in ways that make it harder for millions to access.
It ramps up work requirements for able-bodied adults up to age 64, restricts eligibility for certain noncitizens, and shifts more financial and administrative burdens to the states.
These aren’t just tweaks, they’re deliberate barriers that shrink access without cutting benefits outright.
As Fox Business noted, the new rules are expected to “narrow eligibility and increase compliance burdens.”
Mixed Messaging From Trump Officials
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins acknowledged the scale of the program, saying, “One of every eight Americans gets a welfare check from the government for food.”
But she also claimed progress, telling Fox Business’s Larry Kudlow that roughly 645,000 people have left SNAP and entered the workforce since Trump returned to office.
Warnings From USDA and a Looming Deadline
Still, the scale of the looming crisis is difficult to ignore. The USDA has warned that if the shutdown continues into November, states could be forced to delay or even cancel SNAP payments altogether.
With many food banks already overwhelmed, the cutoff could result in skipped meals and rising hunger nationwide.
Some states are trying to prepare for the worst, but federal law gives them little wiggle room unless Congress acts.
That means millions of families could be left in limbo, unsure of how they’ll afford groceries in the weeks ahead.
Political Blame While People Go Hungry
The political blame game is already underway. In a statement to Fox News Digital, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said, “Millions of Americans are suffering due to the Democrat shutdown. As a result of the Democrats’ choice to hold Americans hostage, nearly 42 million people are in jeopardy of not receiving SNAP benefits on Nov. 1.”
Rogers continued, “Democrats can do the right thing and make the choice to pass the clean continuing resolution at any point.”
This crisis isn’t just about a shutdown standoff, it’s the direct result of Republicans spending years trying to gut food aid and make access to SNAP harder for the people who need it most.
It was Fox Business that acknowledged the shutdown’s human toll most clearly, reporting that the cutoff in SNAP funding could “send shockwaves through the nation’s food economy.”
SNAP Cuts Hurt More Than Just Households
The program supports people from all walks of life, not just the unemployed.
Many recipients rely on SNAP alongside other income sources, like Social Security or wages from part-time jobs, to make ends meet.
According to USDA data, 61% of participants also receive support from programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or state-level aid.
Losing SNAP benefits won’t just hit families, it’ll also hurt local stores and small businesses in lower-income areas that rely on that spending.
If the shutdown keeps going, the impact could spread fast, affecting everyday people, small shops, and those who supply their goods.
The Clock Is Ticking
The bottom line? Unless Congress passes new funding or ends the shutdown quickly, Nov. 1 could mark the start of a major crisis for tens of millions of Americans who rely on SNAP to survive.
And while politicians argue in Washington, the people at risk are those with the least power to fight back.
For now, all eyes are on Congress, and the clock is ticking.