As November looms, states are trying to sort what options they can offer beneficiaries to fill the gap in food assistance. Reporters from the NPR Network are covering the impact of this potential lapse in states across the country.

Harrison Fields blamed Democrats for putting millions of Americans at risk of losing food stamps, despite the fact that he supported previous GOP cuts to the program.

Newer figures from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) show only slight shifts. As of September 2025, Harris County still has by far the largest number of SNAP-eligible individuals, while Fort Bend, Galveston, and Brazoria have seen the steepest growth. Montgomery County is the only major Houston-area county showing a decline.

More than 1 in 10 state residents are in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, whose benefits will end Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — more commonly known as SNAP, or food stamps — is a key benefits program that serves more than 40 million people across the country. Now, the shutdown is threatening to temporarily suspend benefits, raising concerns over where millions of people who rely on the program will turn to for food.

N.J. food pantries say they're in "uncharted territory" as a disruption in SNAP benefits looms due to the government shutdown.

The loss of SNAP benefits will mean millions of low-income Americans won’t be able to access food, and will cause ripple effects throughout the economy. SNAP benefits help lift 5 million Americans out of poverty each year. They also help support more than 388,000 jobs and generate $20 billion in wages and $4.5 billion in tax revenue.