SNAP Can’t Stop: If the Federal Government Fails to Fund SNAP, Massachusetts Must Step Up

Right now, we are quickly approaching November 1. Normally, that might mean embracing the second half of fall or welcoming the holiday season. But this year, it means SNAP benefits are running out for millions of Americans, stripping them of their ability to put food on the table.

An October 27 message on the USDA’s website reads, “Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01.” The USDA egregiously states they are unable to use the contingency fund for SNAP, despite that being the purpose of the fund.

Starting Saturday, more than 1 million Massachusetts residents could have their SNAP benefits delayed because of the federal shutdown and the Trump Administration’s refusal to release SNAP contingency funds created by the Biden Administration for this very reason.

If this decision stands, 337,000 children in our state will lose access to the food they need— marking the first time in history that this vital program has gone unfunded. We can’t let SNAP stop. More than 1 million people in Massachusetts use SNAP to buy food each month, and families will feel the impact immediately if benefits are cut off. This crisis is preventable. The federal government is refusing to provide transparency and failing to use the contingency funds set aside for this exact purpose.

In every corner of Massachusetts, households put food on the table with SNAP.

This map shows how many households in each Massachusetts county rely on SNAP benefits for food. If a government shutdown disrupts these benefits, families across every corner of the state would be impacted, underscoring the widespread reliance on this critical support.
 

We’re calling on the Trump Administration and the Department of Agriculture to fund SNAP, because it is their legal and moral obligation, and no one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from when that fate can be prevented.

“In the richest country in the world, this is a complete lack of conscience…There is no reason for grandma or grandpa to have to skip meals. There is no reason for a student to hide their stomach rumblings at school in shame,” said Senator Ed Markey. “There is no reason for cupboards or refrigerators to be empty.”
 

More than $210 million in SNAP benefits are spent each month at over 5,500 retailers in Massachusetts, accounting for $1 out of every $5 spent at grocery stores in the state. Delaying these funds would create significant economic disruptions in our communities, particularly as Massachusetts faces a slowing economy. Food banks and pantries are already experiencing increased demand and are unable to make up for the shortfall in SNAP benefits.

Low-income households and the Massachusetts economy simply cannot afford any delays. Additionally, SNAP contributes $2.6 billion to Massachusetts each year and supports more than 5,500 local businesses. If these funds were to disappear, it would result in job losses and decreased revenue.

“SNAP is our nation's most effective tool against hunger, providing nine meals for every one meal offered through a food bank,” said Jennifer Lemmerman, Chief Policy Officer at Project Bread. “Emergency food providers are already stretched beyond capacity. They cannot absorb this flow. So let's be clear, this is not an inevitable consequence of the shutdown. It is a political choice and one that could be reversed today with a single decision by the US Department of Agriculture and the Trump administration to use its SNAP contingency fund.”
 

We are already beginning to see an influx of calls from residents across the state, wondering where to turn if their benefits run out and how to get information about the impact on their benefits. This is only going to grow as we get closer to November 1. People are worried about how they will get by if they don’t have SNAP funds to purchase food. Confusion and frustration will continue to grow.

Soraya added that the program is not just a line in the budget, but a lifeline for families like theirs. “It helps us survive and maintain dignity through difficult times. Cutting these benefits would cause real harm to children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families across our community,” they said. 

Soraya is far from the only person feeling the pressure. Hardworking people are taking on second or third jobs, like this federal employee who’s begun delivering food just so he can feed his family. 

“I used to be the one ordering DoorDash/Uber Eats—now I’m the one delivering during the shutdown for breakfast and lunch for a little extra funds to stay on top of bills. Much respect to everyone out here hustling. This grind is real.”

It may sound dystopian, but it’s reality.

Many families constantly worry about having enough to eat. With the cost of living, groceries, and utility bills higher than ever, disposable income is at an all-time low. People are worried about staying afloat. Halloween costumes, holiday gifts, and happy family meals are all off the table. At least, until decision-makers choose to do what’s necessary and fund SNAP.

The evidence of harm caused by inadequate food access is clear and overwhelming, and the solution lies within reach. "One-third of all Massachusetts residents are running low or cannot afford to buy enough food each month," Markey said.

Access to food is not a luxury, but a fundamental human right. It is unacceptable that millions will lose their SNAP benefits because the Trump administration refuses to use readily available funds. We must continue to advocate for SNAP and hold our leaders accountable. 

“In the wealthiest nation on the planet, no one should go to bed hungry. Food is not a privilege. It is a right, and we will not stop fighting until that right is guaranteed for everyone,” Pressley said.

In response to these new and urgent threats, Project Bread has launched the Resilience Fund.

Project Bread’s Resilience Fund is a dedicated, strategic initiative created in response to unprecedented attacks to federal nutrition programs. It is a vehicle for both immediate hunger relief, giving us the flexibility and capacity to support our communities as the full impact of this crisis unfolds. This fund enables us to meet the moment—not only to respond to this crisis, but to build durable solutions in real time.