The plight of 42 million food-stamp recipients is the federal-government shutdown’s most inflammatory issue. Federal judges ordered the Trump administration to pay food-stamp benefits regardless.

Instead of receiving 50% of their usual monthly benefit, many households will receive much less, or perhaps nothing at all.

Rankin calls this moment “the real hunger games,” and it lands. If families lose benefits heading into November, they will immediately cut discretionary spending to feed kids first. He ticked through the ripple effects – small businesses, processors, and suppliers who feel the shock as consumer dollars disappear.

In 2024, the average SNAP household in Michigan received $335.03 per month, which is about $173 per person per month or $5.68 per person per day. SNAP benefits 492,225 children and 38,513 veterans. Of SNAP households, 36% include older adults, 43% include children and 51% include a person with a disability.

SNAP emerged as a critical flashpoint in the longest-ever government shutdown, which entered its 40th day on Nov. 9.

Nevada joins states in lawsuit to keep SNAP funding. Meanwhile, the Fed eyes a 0.25% rate cut amid layoffs, and the Toronto Blue Jays tie the World Series 6-2 after an 18-inning Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Government shutdown threatens food stamps for 42 million Americans as House Democrats reject the GOP's funding bill over a healthcare cuts dispute.

There are an estimated 42 million people receiving food aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. The figure represents 12.3 percent of the U.S. population,

Most states don’t have billions in surplus funds on hand, so they’re not able to fully replace missing federal SNAP funds in the way Virginia can. The governors of Louisiana and Delaware have also made similar emergency declarations, but theirs are short-term orders that last only through the beginning of November.

State and local officials are pleading with policymakers to find a way to fund food assistance in the wake of the federal government shutdown.