Updated: October 27, 2025
Food Bank of Alaska continues to closely monitor the federal government shutdown and what it means for families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). We remain in communication with our Congressional Delegation and state decision-makers including the Alaska Department of Health to ensure Alaskans receive accurate, up-to-date information.
What is happening with SNAP?
On October 1, 2025, the United States government shut down after legislators failed to resolve a budget deadlock. Because of the shutdown, funding for SNAP benefits will not be released for the month of November 2025.
As of 9am Alaska Time, this is the USDA homepage page. Accessed 10/27/25. 
SNAP Benefits Issued Before November 1 may be used throughout the month of November.
Per guidance from the USDA, issued on Friday, 10/24/25, benefits remaining on a user’s account will remain active and usable during November.
“Households may continue to redeem benefits issued to their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card prior to November 1, 2025, at any SNAP authorized retailer. The suspension applies only to November 2025 benefit issuance to households and does not impact any prior benefits, and as such, the authorization or redemption of benefits at eligible retailers is not impacted."
To learn more about how the shutdown is affecting SNAP, check out Feeding America’s press release from October 24, 2025.
