As the federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, drags into its fourth week, millions of Americans are facing a new and immediate crisis: the potential loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which many families rely on to put food on the table. The impasse in Congress over the 2026 fiscal year appropriations has left federal funding in limbo, and the ripple effects are now threatening to upend the lives of vulnerable residents from California to Virginia and beyond.
According to Adams County, Colorado officials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has instructed all states to hold November SNAP benefits for both new and ongoing cases if the shutdown continues. The county warns that more than 67,000 of its residents could lose access to SNAP funding, with nearly 45% of those affected being children and 13% seniors. “Our community is coming together to explore every option to support our residents if the federal government continues the shutdown,” said Lynn Baca, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “Our residents rely on important benefits like SNAP to feed their families healthy, nutritious food.”
The stakes are high: Adams County alone issues $13.4 million in SNAP benefits each month, supporting not only struggling families but also local grocery stores and farmers. The loss of these federal dollars could reverberate throughout the local economy. “If the federal government shutdown continues, thousands of our neighbors will have to decide between feeding themselves and their families or paying their rent,” Baca added. “Our community deserves to have their basic needs met and the opportunity to thrive.”
Residents in Adams County are being urged to seek immediate food support from community partners and nonprofits. The county has mobilized resources, including the Mile High United Way’s 211 Help Center, the Food Bank of the Rockies Pantry Finder, and a comprehensive resource guide, to help those in need bridge the gap while federal funds are frozen. Officials promise to provide updates as soon as the shutdown ends and more information becomes available about the future of SNAP benefits.
This alarming scenario is not limited to Colorado. In Virginia, the Department of Social Services (VDSS) announced that the USDA has notified the state there is no guarantee SNAP benefits will be funded for November. On October 10, the USDA directed states to hold November SNAP issuance files and delay transmission to electronic benefit transfer (EBT) vendors until further notice. This directive is nationwide and impacts all SNAP households. Local and state officials, including those in Charlottesville, are working closely with federal partners to assess options and minimize disruptions, but they stress that the issue cannot be appealed at the local or state level.
“At this time, the City of Charlottesville does not have additional information regarding the issuance of November SNAP benefits,” said Afton Schneider, Director of Communications & Public Engagement for the city. VDSS is monitoring the situation and promises to share updates through official city channels, including NewsFlash, Facebook, and Instagram. Meanwhile, local organizations are on standby to provide food assistance to those affected by the shutdown.
The crisis has prompted some states to take bold action to protect their most vulnerable residents. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom announced on October 22 that he would deploy the California National Guard and California Volunteers on a humanitarian mission to support food banks statewide. The state is also fast-tracking up to $80 million in funding to keep food banks stocked as SNAP benefits, known locally as CalFresh, are delayed for 5.5 million Californians.
The deployment of the National Guard is not without precedent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, service members played a crucial role in supporting food banks, helping deliver more than 800 million meals across the state. This time, the urgency is just as acute. “Trump’s failure isn’t abstract – it’s literally taking food out of people’s mouths. This is serious, this is urgent – and requires immediate action,” Governor Newsom said. “Millions of Americans rely on food benefits to feed their families, and while Republicans in Washington drag their feet, California is stepping up once again to fill in the gaps.”
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California’s First Partner, echoed the sentiment: “The Trump administration and their GOP shutdown have turned their backs on working people, pulling food from the tables of families who were already struggling to get by. California is taking action to support our families by deploying California’s National Guard and California Volunteers to strengthen food distribution and invest $80 million to keep food banks stocked. I’m proud that California is stepping up where federal cowardice has failed families.”
Major General Matthew P. Beevers of the California Military Department emphasized the National Guard’s commitment: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cal Guard service members played a crucial role in this effort, and they are honored to serve their communities once again. In collaboration with Cal OES and Cal Volunteers, we are dedicated to this critical mission, ensuring that those in need receive the assistance they deserve.”
The federal government’s directive to hold November benefit data means that CalFresh funds cannot be allocated to benefit cards, impacting first those newly enrolling in the program in late October and then all 5.5 million enrollees after October 23, unless Congress and the President act to reopen the government or specifically fund the benefits.
California’s rapid response has drawn praise from advocates who see state governments as the last line of defense against federal inaction. “During this critical time as DC strips communities of vital resources, Californians are doing what we always do — which is step up for each other,” said Josh Fryday, Director of the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement. “California Service Corps members will be filling the need where DC is failing.”
The political blame game is in full swing, with state leaders like Newsom and Siebel Newsom placing responsibility squarely on the Trump administration and congressional Republicans for the shutdown and its cascading effects on families. At the same time, local officials across the country are working to keep politics out of their relief efforts, focusing instead on mobilizing community resources and providing clear communication to those in need.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches and food prices continue to climb, the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits is adding to the anxiety of millions of Americans. From the local food banks in Charlottesville to the National Guard-supported operations in California, communities are bracing for a surge in need. The situation remains fluid, with updates promised as soon as the federal government resolves the shutdown or states find alternative ways to provide assistance.
For now, families in Adams County, Charlottesville, California, and elsewhere are left hoping for a swift resolution in Washington. Until then, the patchwork of local and state efforts may be all that stands between many Americans and hunger.
