November 3, 2025
Is the Government Shutdown Affecting You?
SNAP benefits are lost as the government shutdown rolls on…
As our government remains closed for what is turning out to be a record duration shutdown, many people will scarcely notice, however, the ones who are keenly aware are those that are currently SNAP recipients.
SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp program, is a federally funded program to provide help to qualifying people.
A report from The Hill¹ confirms that on Friday, October 31st, two federal judges have ordered the Trump administration to empty an emergency fund with approximately $4.65B in it and pay out to SNAP recipients, which will cover approximately half of the estimated $9B required to pay all recipients for November. The federal judges indicated that the remaining funds could be paid from the Section 32 Child Nutrition Program, though the administration argued that the Child Nutrition Program is not an emergency slush fund for SNAP, and says the risk of using that funding is unacceptable.
So while it does appear some funds will be distributed to SNAP recipients, it likely will not be the full amount for at least November, and possibly longer, as experts claim this government shutdown could last for some time.
Questions have been asked locally from constituents about if the funding shortfall can be made up of state funds. The short answer is no. SNAP is a federally funded program, and the governor does not have authority to unilaterally distribute “rainy day” or state emergency funds without legislative oversight.
Approximately 6.5%, or 130,000 Idahoans depend on SNAP benefits to feed their families.
What I can tell you is that there are nearly 300 food banks available throughout Idaho and you can go HERE to find a map of food banks in your area.
Conversely, if you have abundance and would like to help donate food to these food banks, you can go to the Idaho Food Bank and donate either food or money to the cause.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I would ask everyone to help where you can, chances are, there is a needy family in your community that would greatly benefit from kindness and generosity.
In liberty,
Lucas Cayler
State Representative D-11 , Caldwell
