Ava McDonnell
Nearly 3 million Floridians are expected to lose access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting Saturday, November 1. This is a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown and its halt on funding for the SNAP, also known as food stamps.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that without congressional action on a new spending bill or continuing resolution, it cannot issue SNAP benefits for November. The shutdown, now in its fifth week, has left safety-net programs without appropriations for the fiscal year 2026.
Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) said recipients will not receive their usual benefit deposits until federal funding is restored. The suspension will impact low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities who depend on SNAP to afford groceries.
All 43 Florida Democratic Representatives have urged Ron Desantis to declare a state of emergency to unlock state resources. However, no state-level plan has yet been announced to replace lost federal aid.
“What I think about what would qualify as a state of emergency, if hungry kids and hungry seniors, if feeding our neighbors doesn’t qualify as a state of emergency, I don’t know what does,” said Florida Representative Fentrice Driskell.
Food banks across Central Florida are preparing for a surge in need. “We know that about 500,000 people in Central Florida are relying on those benefits… so we’re pretty anxious,” said Greg Higgerson, Chief Department Officer at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, in an interview with WESH.
If Congress passes a temporary funding measure before the weekend, benefits could resume. Otherwise, millions of Floridians could face at least a one-month gap in food assistance.
For every $10 donated, Second Harvest Food Bank can turn that donation into 40 meals.
If you would like to help, you can donate here.
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