With a Nov. 1 deadline approaching, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned that food aid for more than 40 million people could be disrupted unless Congress acts. She said the Department of Agriculture cannot keep Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits flowing without a new funding measure, calling on lawmakers to move quickly.
The message arrives as families, grocers, and state agencies brace for a potential lapse. The agency’s hands are tied by federal law, according to Rollins, leaving little room for stopgaps. The stakes are high for households already strained by higher food prices and for retailers that depend on SNAP transactions.
What’s driving the deadline
SNAP is funded through annual appropriations and short-term spending bills. When those measures lapse without renewal, federal agencies face strict limits on spending. During past funding gaps, USDA used limited balances and special authority to keep operations running for a short period, but those options are finite.
Rollins said the agency does not have an independent funding stream for SNAP. Without new appropriations, states cannot load November benefits for participants. That would affect families across urban, suburban, and rural areas, including seniors, children, veterans, and low-wage workers.
“We don’t have the authority to fund SNAP on our own.”
The legal limits on USDA
Federal officials point to the Antideficiency Act, which bars agencies from spending money not appropriated by Congress. That means USDA cannot issue payments, sign new obligations, or move funds between accounts to cover SNAP when money runs out.
Rollins explained that even emergency programs must follow these rules. Previous shutdowns have shown the constraint. During the 2018–2019 shutdown, USDA advanced February benefits early to avoid a lapse, but that created administrative strain and confusion for recipients and retailers.
Who is at risk now
SNAP serves over 40 million people monthly. Many are children and seniors. Benefits act as a quick form of economic support during downturns and disasters, and they are spent rapidly at local stores, which rely on predictable benefit delivery to manage inventory and staffing.
State agencies also face pressure. They must handle eligibility reviews, payment files, and retailer transactions on tight schedules. Any interruption would ripple through call centers and casework, potentially delaying aid even after funding resumes.
Grocery stores and local economies
Retailers, from large chains to corner markets, process billions in SNAP purchases each year. A lapse could reduce traffic and sales, especially early in the month when many households shop with newly loaded benefits. Small stores with thin margins are most exposed.
Food banks report higher demand when public benefits are delayed or reduced. They are preparing for a surge if the deadline passes. But charity networks say they cannot replace federal aid at scale.
Political stakes and possible paths
Lawmakers are weighing a short-term funding bill against broader negotiations on spending levels and policy riders. Advocates urge a clean extension to maintain benefits while longer debates continue.
Rollins pressed for speed, stressing that administrative work cannot substitute for appropriations. She emphasized that the agency will process payments immediately once funds are approved, but there is no legal workaround before then.
“Congress controls the purse. We administer the program, but we cannot spend money that has not been appropriated.”
What families can do now
State agencies and community groups recommend simple steps while leaders negotiate:
- Check your state’s benefits portal for updates on November issuance.
- Plan for staggered shopping and avoid large perishables until timing is clear.
- Contact local food banks for temporary support if needed.
- Keep receipts and report any transaction errors to your state EBT helpline.
What to watch next
All eyes are on Congress. A short-term bill would likely restore confidence and allow states to load November benefits. A longer standoff would raise the risk of missed payments and administrative backlogs that spill into December.
Rollins framed the decision as urgent and straightforward: approve funds or face a halt in aid to tens of millions. The coming days will determine whether families see their benefits on time, grocers maintain normal operations, and state systems avoid costly disruptions.
For now, the clock is ticking toward Nov. 1. The fastest route to stability is a clean funding measure that keeps SNAP on schedule while broader budget talks continue. If the deadline slips, families and retailers should be ready for temporary delays and pay close attention to state updates.
