Shutdown Freezes SNAP Aid for Millions

Kelsy Brown

Staff Writer

On Nov. 1, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits stopped due to the government shutdown. This government assistance, according to Feeding America, helps “…an average of 41.7 million people—about one out of every eight people in America” by providing individuals a monthly allowance to provide aid in buying groceries. 

With the government shutdown, SNAP benefits, along with other federally funded governmental assistance programs, were halted due to the House of Representatives and the Senate not agreeing on a continuing resolution that would fund the government. As a result, millions of Americans were left without assistance programs that they rely on. 

Within the Massachusetts State Legislature, many lawmakers came together in a bipartisan manner to denounce President Donald Trump for cutting the funding of SNAP benefits to millions of Americans and to urge him to release this necessary funding. 

Recognizing the ongoing polarization within the federal government that led to the government shutdown, Sen. Ryan Fattman of the Worcester and Hampden District advocated for providing SNAP benefits to Massachusetts residents. During the Informal Senate Session on Oct. 27, Sen. Fattman rose and forced the adjournment of the session due to a lack of a quorum, the number of members required to do business in the chamber.

In an interview following the session with State House News, Sen. Fattman called out the political games between both sides of the political spectrum, saying, “[T]he immaturity, the political gamesmanship, it all has to stop.” Fattman urged both sides within the Massachusetts political system to work together to help provide SNAP benefits to citizens during this crisis. 

During the next informal session, the Senate Republican Caucus rose together to present alternative funding plans to ensure that Massachusetts residents relying on SNAP benefits receive them for November. Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr of the First Essex and Middlesex District led the charge by arguing that the state could add funds for the SNAP program to the fiscal budget. 

Others within the caucus questioned why the state was not willing to use $240 million from the $8 billion State Stabilization Fund to fund the SNAP program. Although many suggestions were made, the Senate majority party refused to support any of these ideas and rather backed Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s plan, which called for supporting their neighbors in need by donating resources to their local food pantries. 

As the government shutdown began to stretch over weeks, many states, including Massachusetts, filed lawsuits against the federal government for the release of SNAP Benefits. Although in many of these instances the courts sided with the states and demanded that the Trump Administration release SNAP benefits, they ultimately were not released. 

With the federal legislature voting to pass the continuing resolution and President Trump signing it into law, SNAP Benefits should begin to roll out in time for the holiday season.