Missouri’s SNAP Recipients Face Benefits Halt as Federal Shutdown Persists

Washington, D.C. (KFMO) - Households in Missouri that rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are facing a sudden cutoff of November benefits unless Congress acts swiftly to reopen the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed this weekend that no new SNAP benefit funds will be disbursed beginning Nov. 1, 2025, because the federal shutdown has drained the program’s contingency resources. 

In Missouri, the impact is significant: the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) states that over 650,000 Missourians, in more than 300,000 households, may not receive November SNAP benefits due to the funding freeze. 

DSS emphasizes that while applications for SNAP will continue to be accepted and processed, the issuance of benefit payments is suspended until federal funding is restored. 

What this means locally:

Families should review their October EBT card balances now and consider stretching funds into November. Missouri officials urged this as an interim measure. 

Food banks and pantries across Missouri are bracing for increased demand. As one local expert noted, for every meal provided by food banks, SNAP would normally provide roughly nine. 

Residents in the Park Hills / St. Francois County area who get SNAP are advised to keep in close contact with DSS for updates and to explore local food assistance resources.

Why this happened:
Because SNAP is 100 % federally funded, the continued federal shutdown, now into its fourth week, has left no legal mechanism for states to pay out the benefits in the absence of a congressional funding pact. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe warned that the state has no way to replace these funds. 

What’s next:
Congress must pass a funding resolution or appropriation that includes SNAP payments, or some states may try to use state-level emergency funds, although Missouri has said it cannot absorb the cost. Failure to act could result in households missing November food support, or longer. 

If your household receives SNAP, keep your EBT card active, use existing benefits carefully, and check the DSS website or contact your local DSS office for updates. Also, reach out to regional food pantries as a backup plan.