Over 1 million people in Massachusetts will probably be left without food because of the government shutdown in the United States, according to Gov. Maura Healey. If things do not get better before November 1, 2025, and federal money for food stamps remains frozen, more than a million people in the US state will end up bearing the brunt of the funding lapse.
Besides Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and Texas are also on the verge of losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Massachusetts is one of the states across America that could lose the benefits starting next Saturday (November 1, 2025).
SNAP provides benefits to low-income families so they can buy groceries. It includes benefits for adults who might otherwise face hunger and malnutrition. These benefits were earlier known as food stamps.
SNAP benefits include monthly funds on an EBT card to buy food. More fruits and vegetables when you use your EBT card at participating HIP farms, SNAP Path to Work free education and training opportunities, Free nutrition education classes and resources, Connections to other kinds of help, like utility discounts, free school meals, and discounted admissions to many Commonwealth museums and cultural institutions via EBT Card to Culture
The US Department of Agriculture oversees the federal food stamps program. The department stated that the lapse in appropriations because of the shutdown will leave them with "insufficient funds" to pay full benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in November, according to CBS News.
Both the USDA and the White House have refused to comment on the looming issue. According to the Greater Boston Food Bank, one in three residents in Massachusetts faced food insecurity in 2024.
On normal days, SNAP beneficiaries receive a payment of $187 (or roughly $6 per day) on prepaid cards that they can use to buy produce, meat, dairy, and other household food staples, according to CBS News. Over 40 million Americans are enrolled in SNAP.
Massachusetts cannot match federal funding it receives for SNAP
While speaking on the prevailing situation, Governor Healey stated that Massachusetts doesn't have the ability to backfill those benefits. She said that it is because state funding can't match the amount of federal funding the state gets for SNAP.
"Two hundred forty million dollars a month is what the state receives, its residents receive from the federal government for these benefits, so you can't begin to make this up," said Healey, as quoted by CBS News.
Governor Healy seeks new resources to help families
While speaking at a news conference on Friday (October 24, 2025) in Roxbury, Healey said her administration is partnering with local food banks and organizations, including Project Bread and the United Way, to help families. They announced the creation of the United Response Fund, hoping to generate donations.
"Those who have the means, this is the time to step up," Healey said. She further stated that she is planning to make a donation herself. The Massachusetts governor is also calling on President Trump to release contingency funds to keep SNAP going while the government is shut down. She asserted that children, the elderly, and the disabled will be impacted the greatest.
Besides Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and Texas are also on the verge of losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Massachusetts is one of the states across America that could lose the benefits starting next Saturday (November 1, 2025).
SNAP provides benefits to low-income families so they can buy groceries. It includes benefits for adults who might otherwise face hunger and malnutrition. These benefits were earlier known as food stamps.
SNAP benefits include monthly funds on an EBT card to buy food. More fruits and vegetables when you use your EBT card at participating HIP farms, SNAP Path to Work free education and training opportunities, Free nutrition education classes and resources, Connections to other kinds of help, like utility discounts, free school meals, and discounted admissions to many Commonwealth museums and cultural institutions via EBT Card to Culture
The US Department of Agriculture oversees the federal food stamps program. The department stated that the lapse in appropriations because of the shutdown will leave them with "insufficient funds" to pay full benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in November, according to CBS News.
Both the USDA and the White House have refused to comment on the looming issue. According to the Greater Boston Food Bank, one in three residents in Massachusetts faced food insecurity in 2024.
On normal days, SNAP beneficiaries receive a payment of $187 (or roughly $6 per day) on prepaid cards that they can use to buy produce, meat, dairy, and other household food staples, according to CBS News. Over 40 million Americans are enrolled in SNAP.
Massachusetts cannot match federal funding it receives for SNAP
While speaking on the prevailing situation, Governor Healey stated that Massachusetts doesn't have the ability to backfill those benefits. She said that it is because state funding can't match the amount of federal funding the state gets for SNAP.
"Two hundred forty million dollars a month is what the state receives, its residents receive from the federal government for these benefits, so you can't begin to make this up," said Healey, as quoted by CBS News.
Governor Healy seeks new resources to help families
While speaking at a news conference on Friday (October 24, 2025) in Roxbury, Healey said her administration is partnering with local food banks and organizations, including Project Bread and the United Way, to help families. They announced the creation of the United Response Fund, hoping to generate donations.
"Those who have the means, this is the time to step up," Healey said. She further stated that she is planning to make a donation herself. The Massachusetts governor is also calling on President Trump to release contingency funds to keep SNAP going while the government is shut down. She asserted that children, the elderly, and the disabled will be impacted the greatest.
