The DMs are full, and pantry lines are long. Parents are budgeting every apple. The government shutdown is three weeks old, and families who rely on SNAP are in limbo. According to the most recent data, 41.7 million residents currently use SNAP, and the standoff in Congress puts that aid at risk. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told the media that extending ACA tax credits is urgent, while the Supreme Court scaled back operations due to funding limits.

Here’s what the shutdown means for SNAP checks and who’s at risk

According to The Cut, the USDA told federal courts it lacks funds to pay roughly $8 billion in food aid this month. The government plans partial payments, with households likely getting about half their usual benefits. On average, SNAP recipients receive about $187 a month, and 39 percent of recipients are children. Two federal judges ordered the Administration to explain the following steps, and 25 states sued over withheld funds.

The shutdown is also pushing families toward crisis, and food banks expect a surge. City Harvest in New York said a disruption “would have a devastating impact” on the 1.8 million New Yorkers who rely on SNAP, ABC News reported.

If your SNAP benefits are delayed or cut, start here

Find food today

• Feeding America “Find Food Near You”: search local food banks by ZIP.
• FoodFinder: a national map of food pantries and meal programs.
• City Harvest (NYC): map of free distribution sites and pantry partners.
• California Association of Food Banks: statewide list and donation portal.

Senior and disability support

• Meals on Wheels continues deliveries to older adults.
• Regional Food Bank lists senior hours and access needs.

Delivery and stopgaps

• DoorDash Project DASH: emergency deliveries of 1 million free meals and waived delivery and service fees on an estimated 300,000 SNAP grocery orders at select retailers.
• Gopuff: 50-dollar credit for SNAP-eligible items with a 10-million-dollar cap.
• Full Cart: order a low-cost food box shipped to your door.

Mutual aid and local help that supplements SNAP

These are some direct ways to bridge gaps:

• Mutual Aid Hub and Fridge Finder: locate community fridges, gardens, and soup kitchens.
• Meal trains and doorstep drop-offs for elderly or disabled neighbors.
• Grocery buddy model: accompany a neighbor to shop or send funds via trusted apps.
• Ask local restaurants to offer kid meals or off-peak free plates. Pitch a pantry drive.
• Check school backpack programs for weekend groceries and donate shelf-stable items.

Who could lose SNAP next, per new rules

Separate from the shutdown, federal policy changes are also set to cut or end benefits for millions of Americans as states implement a recent megabill, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that about 4 million people could lose some or all of their SNAP benefits each month once the new rules are fully in effect.

Expanded work requirements are among the most sweeping changes. The new law targets adults ages 55 to 64 and parents with children 14 and older. Unless they can document at least 20 hours per week of work or qualify for an exemption, they will only receive three months of SNAP benefits within a three-year period. CBPP projects that about 1.4 million people newly subject to this rule could be cut off in a typical month.

At the same time, the number of areas eligible for waivers has been dramatically reduced. Only regions with an unemployment rate above 10 percent will qualify for exemptions from the three-month time limit, which means roughly 1 million people who were previously protected will likely lose access to SNAP.

The changes also restrict eligibility for lawfully present immigrants who hold certain humanitarian statuses, including refugees and asylum seekers. CBPP estimates that about 90,000 people could lose their food assistance each month because of this shift.

Another major provision tightens how states calculate the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA), which helps determine monthly benefit amounts. Households that can’t document utility costs will lose the allowance, cutting about 100 dollars per month on average for roughly 600,000 families.

SNAP help for parents, students, and seniors

• Ask your district about backpack meal programs that send groceries home for weekends.
• For families with infants, the Free Formula Exchange connects donors and parents.
• If travel is a barrier, use Project DASH distributions or pantry partners that do delivery.
• Seniors can look up Feeding America senior programs and local Meals on Wheels.

How allies can show up right now

• Donate cash to food banks. Dollars stretch via bulk purchasing.
• Volunteer at warehouses, mobile pantries, and distribution sites. Call to confirm needs.
• Organize local drives for diapers, hygiene items, and household goods that SNAP does not cover.
• Support mutual-aid efforts. Stock a community fridge. Sponsor CSA shares for SNAP users.
• Contact your representatives. Use 5Calls to demand full SNAP funding and clarity on timelines.