The United States Department of Agriculture issued holds on November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits after an extensive government shutdown continued to ripple through America. Nearly 440,000 Minnesotans accessing SNAP or the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), including 180,000 children and 67,000 seniors, will lose their grocery benefits. MFIP cash benefits will continue to be issued as usual.
With more than 1 million households in Minnesota and nearby Wisconsin facing the end of SNAP benefits due to the federal funding halt, the governor’s office said the state budget would cover the infusion of funds targeted at emergency food providers.
“If Republicans in Congress don’t take action to stop this government shutdown soon, Minnesotans will be forced to ration their food,” said Governor Walz. “These programs save lives. Every day congress fails to act, Minnesotans will suffer.”
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families expects to distribute the funding to about 300 food shelves and Tribal-nation partners. Many of those shelves are already experiencing increased demand: according to the Kitchen Table Food Shelf in Tracy, there were nine new families seeking assistance last month alone.
“We know a loss of food support can risk Minnesotans’ ability to have enough food to feed their families,” said Commissioner Brown. “When food support disappears, the consequences for Minnesota are immediate and far-reaching. It impacts public health, the state and local economies, education, and workforce stability.”
The pause in SNAP benefits is triggering widespread concern. The federal government’s agency confirmed benefits would come to a halt on Nov. 1 unless funding is restored. In response, Walz’s administration characterized the move as a “storm” the state must brace for.
For the Twin Cities metro and greater Minnesota, where many rural food shelves already operate on thin margins, the sudden disruption of SNAP, a major source of food-aid support, could ripple into worsening food insecurity, increased demand on nonprofit providers, and harder choices for low-income families. The state’s response reflects both proactive crisis management and a critique of federal-level gridlock.
SNAP is Minnesota’s most effective tool for addressing hunger and poverty, providing food for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families. SNAP benefits feed rural communities who experience food insecurity at higher rates than urban areas. Benefits also play a vital role in Minnesota’s economy; billions in SNAP benefits support local businesses, grocery stores, farmers markets, and food retailers. SNAP benefits are fully funded by the federal government and benefits will be completely halted until a federal budget is passed.
Individuals and families currently receiving SNAP and MFIP Food should continue to use benefits as usual for now. Despite the ongoing shutdown, DCYF expects that SNAP recipients with unspent funds on their EBT cards will still be able to use these funds. They should keep their contact information up to date with their county or Tribal Nation to ensure updates will be received.
For more information about the federal government shutdown and additional resources, visit Federal shutdown information | Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
