Learn what services have been cutback due to the federal government shutdown

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Fuel Assistance
• Track updates about other impacts at Mass Legal Services and Mass.gov/SNAPupdates.

Why is this happening?

In October 2025, Congress failed to pass an appropriations bill (a budget) leading to a shutdown of the federal government. The Trump Administration has decided not to allow spending for SNAP benefits past October 30th, 2025. If a deal is not reached to pass an appropriations bill, SNAP benefits will not be provided starting November 1, 2025. On Oct. 31, two judges ruled that US Department of Agriculture (USDA) must issue at least partial November SNAP benefits. The Trump Administration says it will send partial payments this month; however there is no clear timeline on when these will be received. On November 7, Governor Maura Healey announced that her administration is directing DTA to pay full SNAP benefits and expects recipients to start receiving their delayed benefits as early as tomorrow.  This announcement follows a federal judge ordering President Donald Trump to release full SNAP benefits, after he became the first President in American history to choose not to fund SNAP during a federal government shutdown. 

What you need to know?

• Current active SNAP households that have already missed a payment should expect to see their full benefits starting tomorrow and over the next few days. All other current active SNAP households should receive their full benefits on their previously scheduled day.
• Any funds already loaded on your EBT card will remain available to spend in November, even if the shutdown continues.
• It's a good idea to leave at least $1 on your EBT card to keep accessing your Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefits for produce from local farm stands and farmers markets. (HIP is a state funded program and is not affected by the shutdown. Find HIP vendors here.
• State funded programs including HIP, TAFDC, and EAEDC will continue operating normally. EBT cards will continue to function in November with any carryover benefits, though no new funds will be added until the federal government re-opens or the USDA releases the funds it has for SNAP--either voluntarily or because a court has ordered it to.
• SNAP enrollment remains open. The DTA and the Food Bank’s SNAP Enrollment team are continuing to help people apply for benefits, even though they may not be available in November. Reach out to the Food Bank’s SNAP team at 413-992-6204.
• For more information about impacts on SNAP:
• Mass.gov/SNAPupdates
• Food Bank of Western MA
• For more information about impacts of the government shutdown on SNAP and other benefits:
• Mass Legal Services Information on the Government Shutdown

Changes to SNAP Eligibility coming soon!

Separate from the impacts of the government shutdown, eligibility to SNAP will be rolling out.  President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law in July 2025.  Among many other things, this new law permanently restricts who is eligible for SNAP benefits going forward and requires states to make significant changes to meet severe “Payment Error Rate” targets. SNAP clients will not all be impacted at once; the changes will happen on a rolling basis at each client’s annual recertification. Clients will be notified by the MA Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) when they need to recertify, and if any of these changes apply to them.

How you can help

Here are some ways you can help by advocating for SNAP or supporting local food programs (if you have means to do so):

1. Support your local food pantry or the Food Bank of Western MA. Contact them to see what is the best way to provide support. Some prefer specific food donations, while others prefer cash donations or volunteer support.
2. Check with your local school, senior center, town hall, etc. about any food drives they are organizing and seeking donations.
3. Share your story. Congresswoman Pressley communications team put together a storytelling website to capture the impact of SNAP cuts in Massachusetts.
4. Join the Springfield Food Policy Council statewide postcard campaign, which invites children and youth to spread awareness and speak directly to the people who shape their future and who are making decisions that affect food access, farms, and families every day. The SFPC is hosting a webinar on the campaign on Wednesday, November 5th, at 10:00 am. Please register for the webinar here.
5. Sign up for advocacy alerts from the Food Bank of Western MA to stay informed on ways you can share your voice.

Fuel Assistance programs are also being impacted by the federal government shutdown. They are funded by a federal program called HEAP - Heating and Energy Assistance Program (formerly LIHEAP). No federal funding has been authorized for these programs starting November 1st, so programs around the country are unable to provide regular benefits. This will also cause delays in paperwork (application processing, approval letters, etc.).

Beginning November 1^st, HEAP programs will only have limited funds for heat emergencies only until additional federal funding is available. Heat emergencies include:

• No heat or fuel.
• Less than 1/8 of a tank of oil or 20% tank of propane.
• Less than three days supply of deliverable fuels.
• Shut-off notice from an electric or natural gas heat source utility.

Learn about the latest updates from Community Action Pioneer Valley (as of November 7). Contact your local HEAP program for more information.