On Nov. 1, 2025, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were halted for over 42 million Americans. SNAP, known as CalFresh in California, is a program that provides monthly food benefits to low-income households. While SNAP is federally administered, states are responsible for maintaining operations and issuing food assistance.
November SNAP benefits were paused after the United States government entered a federal shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025 — a 43-day hiatus that marked the longest shutdown in the nation’s history. The shutdown was a result of congressional deadlock, meaning lawmakers were unable to reach an agreement regarding appropriation bills that allocate funding for federal agencies and programs. When appropriation bills have not been passed, Congress may pass continuing resolutions — a temporary bill that resumes government funds until completion of regular appropriation acts. By the end of the U.S. government’s fiscal year on Sept. 30, however, neither appropriation bills nor continuing resolutions had been passed. When this lack of authorized funding occurs, the government is forced into a shutdown. Following the beginning of the government shutdown, regular federal funding — that is, primarily health and human service programs including SNAP benefits — expired throughout the duration of the shutdown.
SNAP provides eligible households with an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. The EBT card acts as a debit card that individuals may use at authorized retailers to purchase food. During the 2024 fiscal year, SNAP served an average of 41.7 million people per month — approximately 12.3% of all U.S. residents. That same year, SNAP supported approximately 14% of California’s population, with state benefits totaling $12.22 billion.
On Oct. 10, 10 days into the government shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture directed states to hold off issuing November SNAP benefits due to insufficient funds. In response, California and 24 other states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in an effort to force the use of emergency reserve funds to cover costs for food benefits. Two federal courts ruled in the states’ favor, both finding that the federal government was mandated to make contingency funds available for SNAP. Gov. Gavin Newsom also deployed the California National Guard to support food distribution, and fast-tracked $80 million in state funds to go toward food banks.
Despite the federal courts’ rulings to continue SNAP funding, the Trump Administration filed an appeal on Nov. 6, asking that payments stay frozen while the government was shut down. The United States 1st Circuit Court of Appeals did not immediately issue a ruling on the motion. As a result, on Nov. 7, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an administrative stay — a temporary order that pauses enforcement of lower-court rulings while an appeals court deliberates. This stay lifted the deadline for the federal government to fund SNAP benefits in full. On Nov. 11, the Supreme Court then extended the administrative stay. On Nov. 13, however, the Trump Administration withdrew its appeal, as SNAP funding was reinstated with the end of the shutdown.
During the government shutdown, many CalFresh recipients were unable to satisfy their immediate needs, leading to a surge in demand for alternative options like local food banks during this period of uncertainty. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley led the effort to support the Santa Clara and San Mateo communities, providing food distribution sites throughout the area.
Fremont Union High School District also offered support for families affected by the apprehension surrounding SNAP benefits. FUHSD Nutrition Services prepared grocery-style meal boxes, which contained both fresh produce and shelf-stable items. These boxes were made freely available for pickup to any affected families in the district.
On Nov. 10, the Senate passed H.R. 5371 — a bill that marked the end of the government shutdown. Also known as the “Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026,” the H.R. 5371 bill provides continuing appropriations for numerous federal agencies through Jan. 30, 2026. With federal funding agreed upon, government services reopened after President Donald Trump approved the legislation on Nov. 12.
Following the signing of the FY26 Appropriations Act — a bill passed to fund government agencies and programs for the 2026 fiscal year — all November CalFresh benefits have been restored. Furthermore, the end of the government shutdown ensured the extension of full SNAP benefits through September 2026.
