Government Shutdown 2025: Key Resources for Food Assistance and Healthcare

The federal government shutdown began October 1, 2025 and is now in its second month—making it one of the longest shutdowns in U.S. history. For millions of Americans, this isn’t just political news. It’s a crisis that affects their ability to eat, access healthcare, and meet basic needs.

On November 1, SNAP benefits (food stamps) lapsed for roughly 42 million people—the first lapse in the program’s 60-year history. Federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts have since ordered the government to use emergency funds to provide partial benefits, but many families are still waiting. Even when payments resume, they may cover only about half of normal benefits, and some states warn it could take weeks or months to process them.

This level of disruption has never happened before. The uncertainty has left people scrambling to figure out how they’ll feed their families, especially with the holidays approaching.

What's Actually Affected Right Now

No program has felt the shutdown’s impact more than SNAP. Here’s what the lapse means for families depending on monthly food assistance.

SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps)

The situation with SNAP is complicated and changing almost daily. Here’s what we know: the Department of Agriculture said it didn’t have the $9 billion needed to fund November benefits. After court orders, the government began using about $4.65 to $5 billion in contingency funds to cover roughly 50 percent of normal payments.

Getting those funds onto EBT cards takes time. Each state runs its own payment system, and some are warning recipients that delays could last several weeks. If you have leftover benefits from October on your EBT card, you can still use them. But new benefits for November are reduced, delayed, or both—depending on where you live.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children continues through emergency allocations. It received $450 million in new Section 32 funds (after an earlier $300 million stopgap), extending operations temporarily. This program supports more than 6 million pregnant women, new mothers, and young children, but funding remains short-term. If the shutdown continues, states could again face shortfalls.

Healthcare Services That Continue

The good news: Medicare and Medicaid services are continuing. Your coverage hasn’t disappeared, and you can still see your doctors and fill prescriptions. Medicare claims are being processed, and Medicaid funding continues through advance appropriations.

Veterans Affairs facilities and clinics are also open, and VA benefits continue to be processed and delivered. Social Security checks are still being sent out on schedule.

What's Changed or Harder to Access

Even though these programs are running, the shutdown has made it harder to get help. CMS and many state agencies are operating with reduced capacity, which means longer call waits and slower processing of new applications or coverage changes. Some support services have been paused completely.

There’s also the issue of telehealth. Major Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired September 30, 2025. For most non-behavioral care, Medicare now limits telehealth to patients in rural areas using approved medical facilities rather than at home. Behavioral-health telehealth keeps its expanded access, but eligibility overall is narrower—an unfortunate coincidence of timing, not a direct result of the shutdown. Many seniors have lost some of the telehealth access they had during the pandemic-era rules.

Finding Food Assistance Near You

With SNAP benefits disrupted and food banks seeing record demand, knowing where to turn is more important than ever. The resources below can help you find food assistance in your area.

Start With National Resources

Feeding America lets you enter your ZIP code to find local food banks and pantries near you. The network includes more than 200 food banks across the country.

Call 211 from any phone to reach trained specialists who can connect you with local food resources, emergency assistance, and other support services. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7 in most areas.

The USDA National Hunger Hotline (1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE for Spanish) operates 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET. You can also text FOOD to 914-342-7744 for local emergency food programs.

What to Ask When You Call

When you contact a food bank or pantry, these questions will help you understand what’s available:

• About accessibility: “Do you have a pantry that delivers to seniors or disabled adults?” Many food banks have volunteer delivery programs for people who can’t travel.
• About requirements: “What documentation is needed?” Some pantries require proof of residence or photo ID, while others don’t.
• About frequency: “How often can my client receive food?” Policies vary—weekly or monthly visits.
• About emergency options: “Do you have emergency food boxes available?” Some keep immediate-need supplies on hand.

These simple questions can make it easier to connect your client with the right kind of support—quickly, clearly, and without surprises.

Emergency and Delivery Programs

Project DASH is a DoorDash–Feeding America partnership delivering 1 million free meals through local food banks in November. DoorDash is also waiving delivery and service fees for about 300,000 SNAP grocery orders at major chains including Sprouts, Dollar General, Food Lion, Giant Foods, Stop & Shop, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle, and Wegmans. Check store listings for eligibility and availability.

Full Cart offers free food delivery to your home, though there may be waiting lists in some areas.

Findhelp.org lets you search by ZIP code for food banks, emergency aid programs, and other assistance near you.

Community-Level Support

Local organizations can fill gaps that national programs can’t. Churches, community centers, and neighborhood groups often host meal programs that may not appear in national databases. Your local council on aging is another excellent resource, especially for seniors or people with disabilities.

Community fridges are also becoming more common—public refrigerators where anyone can take what they need or leave food for others.

State Emergency Responses

States have responded to the SNAP crisis in different ways. Some have allocated millions to food banks, while others are providing temporary benefits directly to residents.

New Mexico announced it would distribute $30 million in state-funded benefits onto existing EBT cards. Delaware’s governor declared a state of emergency to fund weekly benefits through November. New York allocated $65 million—$40 million for emergency food relief programs and $25 million for surplus farm products. Illinois committed $25 million to food banks, and California deployed the National Guard to help manage the surge in demand.

Not every state has the resources to step in. Check your state’s human-services website or call your state representative’s office to learn what emergency programs might be available where you live.

How Healthcare Coverage Is Actually Working

During the shutdown, Medicare is still running. Here’s what that means for your healthcare coverage and access to services.

Medicare Services

If you have Medicare, your coverage is still active. Medicare is funded through a different mechanism than discretionary programs, so it keeps operating during shutdowns. You can still:

• See your doctors and specialists
• Fill your prescriptions
• Go to the hospital if needed
• Receive home-health services

The contractors who process claims are still working, so providers can submit claims and receive payments. There was a temporary 10-day hold on some claims in early October, but it has been resolved.

With reduced CMS staffing, you may experience longer hold times or slower processing for new enrollments or coverage changes.

Medicaid Services

Medicaid is also continuing. Congress provided advance appropriations that allow states to keep receiving federal Medicaid funding during the shutdown. Your coverage remains active and you can continue accessing care.

Administrative offices are running with smaller staffs, so expect slower responses if you’re applying or changing coverage.

Veterans Services

The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that 97% of its employees are continuing to work during the shutdown. VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, and Vet Centers remain open. Veterans can still receive healthcare, and benefits—including compensation, pensions, education, and housing—continue to be processed.

The Veterans Crisis Line (988, Press 1) is operating 24/7. The VA Contact Center (800-MyVA411 or 800-698-2411) and VA Benefits Hotline (800-827-1000, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. ET Mon–Fri) are available. Regional benefits offices are closed for in-person visits but services remain accessible online and by phone.

Steps You Can Take Right Now

Even if you’re not in immediate crisis, these steps can help you prepare for possible disruptions ahead.

Check your EBT balance today. Log into your state’s EBT system or call the number on the back of your card.

Locate food banks before you need them. Use the resources above and save contact info and hours now.

Ask about delivery options early. If you have mobility or health limitations, contact food banks this week about delivery or volunteer driver programs.

Keep documentation handy. Gather proof of residence, ID, or income documents now.

Sign up for alerts from your state. Many state offices send text or email updates about benefit changes—check your state’s human-services website.

Managing Limited Resources

Advocates working with patients during the shutdown have shared strategies that help stretch resources:

• Track grocery sales and use store apps to plan meals around discounts.
• Look for community meals at churches, senior centers, or local organizations.
• Connect with neighbors for informal food-sharing groups.
• Try “rescued” food apps like Too Good To Go or Flashfood for discounted items nearing sell-by dates.

Small steps like these can help patients feel more in control—while making limited resources go further.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Government Shutdown of 2025

Will my leftover SNAP benefits from previous months still work?

Yes. Any benefits remaining on your EBT card from October or earlier are still usable. The issue is only with new November benefits.

What if I can't get to a food bank because of transportation or health issues?

Ask specifically about delivery options, volunteer driver services, or partnerships like Meals on Wheels and Project DASH. Many food banks have created ways to bring food directly to people’s homes.

Are my Medicare and Medicaid benefits at risk during this shutdown?

No. Both continue operating because their funding structures differ from discretionary programs. Coverage stays active; the main impact is slower customer support.

When will SNAP benefits return to normal?

There’s no confirmed date. Full benefits resume once the shutdown ends and Congress restores funding. Partial benefits may continue through contingency funds if courts extend orders. Check your state’s human-services site or sign up for alerts for local updates.

What should I do if I'm waiting on a new benefit application?

Keep following up—applications are still being processed, just more slowly. Hold onto any confirmation numbers or documentation. If you’re facing hardship while waiting, reach out to food banks or emergency programs that don’t require proof of benefit enrollment.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for professional advice. Information is subject to change. Consult your healthcare provider or a qualified professional for guidance on medical issues, financial concerns, or healthcare benefits.

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