On November 1st, those dependent on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) did not receive their benefits because the U.S. Department of Agriculture ran out of funding. 

This was due to the government shutdown that began on October 1st and went on to break the record for the longest one in U.S. history. The shutdown occurred because lawmakers were unable to agree on a new budget for federal funding, leaving thousands of federal workers unpaid and certain programs and services unfunded. 

SNAP benefits, formally known as food stamps, provide those in need with EBT cards that can be used at grocery stores to purchase fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry, and fish; dairy products; breads and cereals; and other foods, such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages. Eligibility for benefits depends on family size, income, and ability to work. 

More than 140,000 Boston residents and 89,000 Boston households were expected to be impacted by a SNAP shutdown or freeze, while over 1 million Massachusetts residents were at risk of losing benefits due to the government shutdown. 

When benefits failed to be distributed on November 1st, nearly 42 million Americans were affected by the disruption. Families were unable to afford food, and food bank visits across the country surged.

Now that the government has reopened, states should be able to issue full benefits to SNAP recipients within about three days. Some states have already begun to issue November SNAP benefits, either in full or partially.