Large states stand to lose the most federal funding, but a higher percentage of the population receives food assistance in some smaller states.
More than 41 million Americans won’t receive federal help buying groceries in November unless Congress reopens the government.
“The well has run dry,” the Department of Agriculture wrote on its website on Oct. 27.
The department oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves about 12 percent of the U.S. population.
The government shutdown began Oct. 1 after the Senate failed to advance a stopgap funding resolution introduced by Republicans, which would have temporarily funded the government while Congress completed 2026 spending legislation.
Nearly all Democrats have rejected the measure until Republicans come to terms on their proposals to extend health care funding expiring end of the year. Republicans contend that those negotiations should happen in the context of regular spending negotiations, not as a condition for reopening the government.
Here’s a look at which states stand to lose the most if the shutdown extends another week, and how that could affect both parties.
States Receiving the Most Funding
SNAP funding totaled more than $7.8 billion in May 2025, the last month for which data is available.
Nearly half of all SNAP funds went to 7 large-population states in the month of May.
California drew the largest share at more than $1 billion in federal funding—about 13 percent of the total.
New York received $647 million, and Texas received $614 million. The next highest amounts went to Florida, $536 million; Illinois, $368 million; Pennsylvania, $368 million; and Ohio, $356 million.
Those states together received 49 percent of the food assistance benefit for May 2025, and they served about 49 percent of those receiving benefits.
Total spending for SNAP reached $99.8 billion in fiscal year 2024.
States are now preparing for the possibility of no SNAP funding in November.
A New York State Department of Social Services website carried this warning: “Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, November SNAP benefits may be delayed. SNAP benefits cannot be issued for November unless the federal government shutdown ends or other federal action provides necessary funding.”
The site promised those receiving assistance an update by Nov. 1.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned residents on Oct. 20 that its food assistance funds would likely be delayed in November if the shutdown lasted beyond Oct. 23.
