Updates
How will the government shutdown impact food benefits?
As of October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government is closed. The impact of this shutdown varies by food program and depends on the length of the closure.
SNAP (Basic Food/EBT)
SNAP users will receive their October benefits as usual and will be able to spend them throughout the month without interruption.
The SNAP application remains open, as do local DSHS offices.
If the government does not reopen before November 1, 2025, November SNAP benefits will be delayed. Once the government reopens, any missed payments will be issued to families retroactively.
Each month, SNAP helps to cover food costs for over 900,000 Washingtonians, with an average household benefit of $322. If November benefits are delayed, families on SNAP will face significant hardship keeping food on the table.
Follow the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) webpage for official communication about SNAP benefits.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC remains open, and recipients should continue to use their benefits, attend appointments, and access services as usual.
Federal funding has ensured WIC benefits will continue in Washington through mid to late November 2025. If the government shutdown continues beyond mid-November, WIC benefits may be paused or delayed.
Due to the federal shutdown, some WIC clinics may temporarily close, but many will remain open. You can call your local WIC office or check their website to see if they are open.
Each month, WIC supports over 212,000 Washington women and their children under 5. Without WIC benefits, these families will be unable to purchase the baby formula and foods required to meet their basic needs.
Follow the Department of Health website for official updates about WIC benefits.
The National School Lunch & School Breakfast Programs
The programs that serve meals to kids at school will continue to operate as normal. Schools will continue to serve meals to students, and the cost to families will not change.
Based on the way that school meal programs are funded by the government, they will be able to operate as normal during a federal shutdown much longer than other programs like SNAP or WIC.
It is unlikely that the government shutdown lasts long enough to impact school meal programs.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) helps food banks keep their shelves stocked by providing bulk shipments of food paid for by the federal government.
TEFAP orders placed by food banks prior to the government shutdown will be shipped as usual.
During the government shutdown, food banks will not be able to place additional TEFAP orders. Depending on the length of the shutdown, this could lead to lower-than-normal amounts of food available at food banks and pantries.