The ongoing federal government shutdown is now hitting Minnesotans where it hurts most — the dinner table. State officials confirmed that November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) food portion will be paused until the shutdown ends or the federal government provides additional funding guidance.
The cash portion of MFIP benefits will still be issued, and October benefits are not affected, meaning recipients can continue using their existing funds for now.
What This Means for Minnesota Families
SNAP provides essential food support to more than 400,000 Minnesotans, many of whom are already stretched thin by high prices for groceries, rent, gas, and utilities. With federal funds frozen, families that rely on SNAP and MFIP food assistance may face major challenges buying groceries in November.
Officials say Minnesotans can still apply for SNAP or MFIP during the shutdown, and counties and Tribal Nations will continue processing applications. However, if the shutdown continues into November, no benefits will be loaded onto EBT cards until federal operations resume.
Submitting applications now ensures cases are ready to move quickly once benefits are reinstated.
Community Resources
While federal assistance is paused, more than 300 food shelves and meal programs across Minnesota are ready to help families who need immediate support.
Residents can find nearby resources through Hunger Solutions Minnesota or by calling 2-1-1 for assistance.
Who Is Affected
Nationally, nearly 42 million people depend on SNAP each month, including more than 10 million Black Americans, who make up about one-quarter of all participants. The average recipient receives about $187 per month, a modest but critical support that helps reduce food insecurity by nearly 30% and keeps millions of children above the poverty line.
In Minnesota, SNAP not only supports families — it also strengthens local economies and sustains small grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
WIC and Other Federal Programs at Risk
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) narrowly avoided running out of funds earlier this month after emergency federal transfers kept it operational through October. Without new funding, millions of low-income mothers and children could see interruptions in benefits as early as November.
Looking Ahead
State agencies are urging families to stay in contact with their county or Tribal human services offices and make sure their contact information is current. That ensures recipients can receive updates about their cases once funding is restored.
While there’s still hope Congress will act before the end of the month, the uncertainty is already straining families and local food programs.
As Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, said earlier this month, “Many people in America are a single missed paycheck away from needing support from their local food banks. A prolonged shutdown will deepen the strain, and more families will seek help at a time when food banks are already stretched.”
For now, the message from state leaders is clear: October benefits remain safe, but November food assistance is on hold until Washington resolves its budget standoff.
To learn more or find food support in your area, visit hungersolutions.org/find-help