As the Shutdown Continues, What’s Next?
As the Shutdown Continues, What’s Next?
As the Shutdown Continues, What’s Next?
We are now entering the fifth week of the federal government shutdown, with no end in sight. People have questions about what’s looming for the 1.3 million Social Security recipients across the Commonwealth. It has now been confirmed that SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are running out of funding and will not be issued in the month of November. Folks are on edge…what are our options?
Fortunately, Social Security benefits are considered mandatory spending, and will continue to be issued during the shutdown, but employees of the SSA are furloughed and some services other than benefit payments are on hold.
Some local offices will remain open with reduced services. Individuals will still be able to apply for benefits, request an appeal, report a death, or replace a Social Security card, but these services may be delayed due to furloughs. Services that are unavailable include replacing a Medicare card, issuing a proof of income letter, or updates on one’s earning record. Information about Social Security and the shutdown is available at https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/advocates/2025-10-01.html.
Beneficiaries have already received their checks for the month of October; they should not expect any changes to their payments in November and beyond. Those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) should expect to receive their November payments a day early, on Friday, October 31st, since November 1st falls on a Saturday.
Rising health insurance costs are weighing heavily on many of us. As open enrollment begins for the Affordable Care Act for next year, people in Massachusetts are facing significantly higher premiums, since tax credits within the ACA are set to expire. And there is no current agreement for Congressional renewal of those tax credits. https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/aca-marketplace-premium-payments-would-more-than-double-on-average-next-year-if-enhanced-premium-tax-credits-expire/
Regarding SNAP benefits (formerly called food stamps), one in six Massachusetts residents rely on them to feed their families. Many of those families have a child or partner with a disability.
The state is unable to make up for the $240 million they lost in federal funding for SNAP. This will result in a significant increase in people turning to food pantries across the Commonwealth, especially with Thanksgiving around the corner. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/massachusetts-snap-benefits-shutdown/
Congress has approved a contingency budget for SNAP that includes $6 billion in emergency funding, which has been used during previous shutdowns, but this administration has been unwilling to utilize it, claiming that the emergency funds are insufficient and can’t be used during a shutdown. https://www.npr.org/2025/10/27/nx-s1-5587255/snap-benefit-shutdown-contingency-fund-food-stamps
The loss of SNAP benefits is especially hard on federal workers, many of whom are about to miss a paycheck, and don’t know when they’re going to receive their next one. Those who have been furloughed are ineligible for unemployment benefits, putting food pantries in extremely high demand.
There is also uncertainty around SNAP’s sister program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which offers food assistance to pregnant women and mothers of children under the age of five. While it’s funded separately from SNAP, this program could see funding run out if the shutdown continues into November. https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5574103-snap-could-run-out-nov-1-what-about-wic/
For those in the state who receive SNAP benefits, Massachusetts has a special food program called the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP) that provides recipients with extra SNAP money for fruits and vegetables. It can be used at participating farmers’ markets and local farms. The HIP program will continue to be active during the shutdown, but recipients must retain a minimum of $1.00 on their EBT card in order to utilize it. More information on the HIP program is available at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-healthy-incentives-program-hip-frequently-asked-questions
Food should be accessible to everyone regardless of income. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has a food finder tool that helps people locate nearby food pantries, meal sites, and mobile food banks. The Food Bank also has a program called the Brown Bag program, which serves food to seniors over the age of 55, but is subject to income eligibility guidelines.
The Food Bank has a list of food pantry and meal site services across Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire Counties. Joint food programs in Springfield and Holyoke are ready to serve people who are most in need. Information is detailed on their website at https://www.foodbankwma.org/get-help/food-finder/
Teddy Gronostalski
Systems Change Advocate Assistant