SNAP Benefits Face Nov. Cut off if Shutdown Persists Trump Could Provide Funds

M.A. Dworkin

USVI - Virgin Islanders who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to buy food could be faced with insufficient funds (NSF) in November if the ongoing U.S. Government shutdown persists past November 1st.

In a letter dated Oct. 10, 2025, and sent to the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said there will not be enough funding to pay the entirety of November SNAP benefits if the shutdown continues. 

“If the current lapse in appropriations continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the nation,” reads the letter, which was signed by SNAP Development Director Sasha Gersten-Paal.

Normally, States send data about eligible households’ SNAP benefits to its Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) vendor each month. But the USDA, via its letter, is directing States to pause on sending that information “until further notice.” 

The USDA said its Food and Nutrition Service has begun gathering information for a potential contingency plan regarding SNAP benefit operations, should the shutdown continue. In the meantime, USVI officials are still grappling with what an extended shutdown would mean to SNAP recipients. 

According to the USDA’s government shutdown contingency plan, the Department has multiyear contingency funds meant for administrative expenses and/or to pay participant benefits directly. But, it is unclear, at this point, how much money is currently available in that reserve. 

If the shutdown lasts beyond October, it could exhaust the USDA’s contingency plan, and it would be up to the Trump Administration to decide whether to tap into the multiyear fund. 

During the 2018-2019 shutdown, the USDA paid February benefits early, at the end of January, and Congress passed emergency funding to keep payments going out in March. 

The longest shutdown in history was in 2018-2019 during President Trump’s first term. It lasted 35 days. Prior to that, there was a 21-day shutdown in 1995-1996 during President Bill Clinton’s Presidency. There was also a 16-day shutdown during President Barack Obama’s Administration in 2013. The other seven government shutdowns since 1980 lasted anywhere from a few hours to five days. 

“It is tenuous,” Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. stated at this Monday’s Press Briefing at Government House St. Thomas. “The longer it goes on the more problems it creates. We just received notice that Food Stamps will be impacted for November unless there is some solution.” 

The Governor instructed residents who are presently on the Food Stamp Program (SNAP) to watch their spending carefully and prepare for the possibility their allotment could be cut back or completely eliminated. 

V.I. Senate President Milton E. Potter is leading the effort to use local reserves to bridge the gap until Congress restores funding.

"The Legislature will not stand idly by while our most vulnerable citizens suffer," Senator Potter stated.

Note: Leave it to Americans to bet on most anything: The Polymarket betting odds continue to rise against the chance that Congress will pass a funding bill any time soon. As of Wednesday October 15, 2025 the Polymarket odds were as follows:

• 41% believe the Senate vote will pass by Oct. 31 

• 85% are betting on the Senate vote passing by Nov. 30.

The Polymarket is a decentralized prediction market where users can trade shares on the outcome of real-world events.