🧭 What Happens to SNAP Benefits if the Shutdown Continues?
By Barry O’Connell | The Maryland Wire | October 22, 2025
If Congress fails to resolve the federal shutdown by October 27, Maryland’s SNAP recipients could face a sudden and painful disruption in food assistance. The USDA has warned that November benefits may not be issued—a potential crisis for over 680,000 Marylanders, including 270,000 children, who rely on SNAP to feed their families.
🔒 The Shutdown’s SNAP Cliff
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is federally funded but state-administered. During a shutdown, USDA operations are limited to “essential services,” and SNAP funding becomes precarious. If the shutdown stretches into November:
- Maryland may not receive federal funds to issue November SNAP benefits.
- Recipients could see zero deposits on their EBT cards after October 31.
- Local food banks and nonprofits may face overwhelming demand without federal support.
The USDA has not confirmed whether emergency reserves will be used, and Maryland’s Department of Human Services (DHS) has not issued a contingency plan as of this writing.
⚠️ New Work Requirements Add Pressure
Compounding the crisis, new federal work requirements for SNAP recipients take effect November 1. Under the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) must now:
- Work at least 80 hours/month
- Be enrolled in school or a training program
This rule now applies to adults up to age 65, not just those 18–54. Exemptions have narrowed: only parents of children under 14 are exempt. Veterans, unhoused individuals, and foster youth aging out of care must now meet these requirements or risk losing benefits.
🧭 What Maryland Recipients Can Do
- Check your benefit status at www.marylandbenefits.gov
- Review eligibility and exemptions at Maryland DHS SNAP page
- Call for help: 1-800-332-6347 or Maryland Relay Service: 800-735-2258
- Track federal updates via USDA Food and Nutrition Service
🧵 Editorial Note
This is not just a policy failure—it’s a reputational risk to Maryland’s most vulnerable communities. If Congress does not act, the shutdown will become a hunger crisis. The Maryland Wire will continue monitoring DHS updates and federal negotiations. Readers are encouraged to share this alert with local nonprofits, elected officials, and SNAP recipients who may not be aware of the looming cutoff.
Poverty and food insecurity are policy decisions - always. But hey! Good to know the federal policy position: starvation.