With the government shutdown entering its fourth week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits to approximately 42 million Americans. The looming disruption has sparked sharp criticism from advocacy groups and raised alarms across rural communities and agricultural supply chains.

Advocates argue USDA is legally obligated to act. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) states that contingency reserves-currently totaling $6 billion-must be used to cover SNAP benefits when appropriated funds fall short. After accounting for administrative costs, more than $5 billion remains available, a significant portion of the estimated $8 billion needed for a full month of benefits.

"The administration is legally required to use contingency reserves," said CBPP President Sharon Parrott. "There is no reason families should go hungry or benefits be delayed."

The USDA, however, maintains that political gridlock is preventing action. In a recent interview, Secretary Brooke Rollins claimed that "half the states are shut down on SNAP" and expressed hope that a deal would be reached before November. Yet many see this as political deflection rather than a financial or legal constraint.

Farm-state lawmakers remain divided. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has urged Democrats to support his bill to fund SNAP during the shutdown. Meanwhile, Senate Ag Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) acknowledged the urgency but noted procedural hurdles. "I'm very supportive of trying to ensure that these people don't lose their benefit," Boozman said, while admitting he's unsure how to resolve the issue legislatively.

USDA staff have already informed state agencies that November benefits may be cut or delayed. According to reports, officials in 25 states are preparing to reduce or halt SNAP payments, creating panic among low-income families, food retailers, and rural communities dependent on food-assistance flows.

The stakes for U.S. agriculture are significant. SNAP payments fuel grocery sales and downstream demand across the ag sector-from livestock feed and dairy to produce and processed goods. A break in benefit distribution can hurt rural co-ops, grocers, and producers alike. Reduced consumer demand directly impacts crop and livestock markets, especially in areas already burdened by high input costs.

The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) joined the calls for USDA to act. "There is money in the contingency funding," said FRAC spokesperson Jordan Baker. "They need to identify the rest, just as they have for other priorities."

Meanwhile, the White House has signaled support for keeping SNAP funded, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that President Donald Trump would sign a SNAP funding bill. But political disagreements persist over broader spending issues, including healthcare subsidies and Medicaid funding, making a clean resolution uncertain.

For the ag sector, the ripple effects of SNAP disruption could be far-reaching. Lower food spending leads to reduced demand for farm products, weaker prices, and added strain on rural economies already navigating volatile markets and a delayed farm bill.

As November nears, USDA and Congress face a critical test: protect the nation's most vulnerable while safeguarding the economic ecosystem that connects nutrition programs to American agriculture