No funding starting Nov. 1

On Saturday, Nov. 1, 130,900 people in Idaho, or about one in every 15 Idahoans, will not receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, previously known as food stamps, due to the second-longest government shutdown in US history.

The longest shutdown recorded occurred in 2018 and lasted 35 days. During the 2018 shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and states took steps to ensure SNAP benefits would still be delivered.

However, the USDA informed states that “there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits” if the shutdown continues. In a memo dated Oct 24, 2025, the USDA said that the contingency funds (about $5-6 billion) are not legally available to cover regular SNAP benefits for the ongoing lapse in appropriations, according to USDA’s interpretation.

Many states have posted notices or guidance that if the shutdown continues past Nov. 1, they will not be able to load benefits or process payments for November until federal funding resumes.

Several states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Louisiana and Virginia, have opted to use state funding to help individuals and families affected.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (ID DHW) announced on Oct. 22 that it would delay issuing SNAP benefits in Idaho starting in November, due to the federal shutdown and insufficient funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, about 7% of Idahoans rely on SNAP benefits. Out of this, more than 67% of SNAP participants in Idaho are families with children, more than 38% are families with members who are older adults or are disabled, and more than 43% are working families.

The Idaho Foodbank, which serves about 216,000 people each month through 400 partners across the state, anticipates an increase in people accessing food pantries and soup kitchens as benefits run out at the end of the month, according to Boise State Public Radio.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has publicly released a statement on its website stating,

"Due to the federal government shutdown and lapse in funding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has instructed Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to temporarily delay issuing SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits. This does not affect WIC benefits."

How it affects Madison County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates) via FRED, there were 2,494 persons in Madison County on SNAP benefits in 2022. Additionally, 26.8% of Madison County's population is living in poverty compared to the 10.6% state average.

While SNAP benefits are being affected, other federal assistance programs are also at risk due to this shutdown.

“We have received an email from the state reassuring us that the funding for this school year will last through September and October,” commented Madison Food Services. "However, it also said the future depends largely on how long the shut down lasts."

With October coming to an end, there have been no new updates regarding the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

Additionally, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has not yet been affected by the continued shutdown.

“WIC is business as usual unless people hear otherwise. Watch the app for updates,” says a WIC spokesperson from Eastern Idaho.

The Family Crisis Center, located on Main Street in Rexburg, remains hopeful that it will be able to care for the potential influx of community members seeking local food resources.

Brooklyn Potera, an intern at the Family Crisis Center, stated that every week on Wednesdays and Fridays, the center holds a food bank from 12-1 p.m.

"Anybody can come and get a box of food. You just come and sign up, and they'll give you a box. Depending on if you're family or if you're a single person, the boxes are different depending on your situation, and you can pick that up, and then there are other little items there that you can choose from," said Potera.

Potera also emphasized that the food bank only functions off of the donations they receive from local community members, farmers, and organizations, which fluctuate.

Community members' response

Charles Theodore Florman, a member of the Rexburg community who works alongside the Journey Family of Services, specifically works with adults with special needs who are unable to provide for themselves and has seen firsthand the benefits of SNAP. 

“Many rely on SSI or SSDI to cover their living expenses, and many rely on SNAP to help them afford food,” said Florman.

Florman addresses common misconceptions about SNAP benefits and the individuals who rely on these food resources. 

“They’re adults who, through no fault of their own, were born with lifelong intellectual disabilities,” Florman said. “They use food banks, etc., where they can, but they often rely on SNAP to offset some of the items they can’t get reliably at food banks, or to provide some consistency in their diet as many of them struggle with new foods.”

Jess Goudy, another member of the Rexburg community who has been involved with the food programs for the past 13 years as Rexburg Mobile Food Pantry operator, shares what she has seen recently.

"I have seen panic. I have seen judgment. I have seen a society openly deciding who deserves to be fed," said Jess Goudy, a member of the Rexburg community and the Rexburg Mobile Food Pantry operator for the last 13 years.

Stores that accept SNAP

There are 13 stores within a five-mile radius of downtown Rexburg that accept SNAP benefits. These stores include Walgreens, Walmart, Broulims, Dollar Tree and Albertsons.

Local food resources

There are many local resources for those struggling with food insecurity, including food banks and community food pantries in Rexburg, Idaho Falls and surrounding areas.

"Those who can donate, support your local food insecurity efforts via donations. Help relieve the pressure we will all be feeling to meet the needs of this inevitable increase. These are our neighbors, our friends," Goudy said.

• Eastern Idaho Community Action // Rexburg // 208-522-5391
• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare // Rexburg // 208- 359- 4750
• Madison County Mobile Food Pantry // Rexburg // 208-233-8811
• Family Crisis Center // Rexburg // 208-356-0065
• Rigby Area Senior Citizen, Inc.// Ririe // 208-745-2053
• Cornerstone Pentecostal Church // Idaho Falls // 208-529-1066
• Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen // Idaho Falls // 208-557-5750
• St Vincent de Paul // Idaho Falls // 208-522-6280
• Community Council of Idaho // Idaho Falls // 208- 524-0980
• Senior Citizens Community Center, Inc.// Idaho Falls // 208- 522- 4357
• Bishop's Storehouse // Idaho Falls // 208-529-2201
• Giving Cupboard // Rigby // 208- 557- 9089