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Government Shutdown: What to Know if You Get Benefits
The federal government is in a shut-down because no federal budget for the 2025-26 financial year has been approved by both houses of Congress and the president. This has the effect of reducing services for the public and cutting off paychecks for many federal workers. Here is a quick run-down of the situation and services available during the shutdown.
What is affected, What is not
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not be able to pay for food after October 31st if federal funds are not restored. Any funds already on EBT cards will stay on EBT cards.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program will provide food benefits through mid to late November. However, some WIC offices may temporarily close.
- Social Security checks will continue to be sent out.
- Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is still funded and working as usual. Services and payments will continue to be made as scheduled.
- State Food Assistance Program (FAP) funding has been halted, the same as SNAP.
- Other state-level impacts on offices and services can be viewed on the WA Office of Financial Management (OFM) website.
Resources to make up for lost benefits
Your go-to resource for food needs can be 211 Washington:
- Look up food resources in the 211 database by city or zip code
- Text the word “211WAOD” to 898211 for the resource database
- Call 211 to speak with a specialist
- Visit wa211.org to use their online search–food resources have a special banner at the top right now!
Findhelp is a statewide service similar to 211, not run by the state.
For many families, the loss of SNAP benefits is the most immediate issue. Food banks and food pantries are already busy and many have expanded their services. Another way to find your local foodbank or panty: visit Feeding America’s database. Many churches, nonprofit organizations, and community organizations are aware of what the lack of SNAP payments mean to families, and they are starting to run food-drives to compensate. Check with your local community organizations to see what is available.
For furloughed federal workers, including military personnel
According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, at least 670,000 federal employees are furloughed, while roughly 730,000 continue to work without pay. There are several options open to these employees, along with many banks offering personal loans for those furloughed or working without pay. The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) has grants and loans available to those who have been furloughed. My FED Benefits has a 2025 Shutdown Assistance Map that can show local resources.