SNAP Benefits Paused Amid Federal Shutdown

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 10/23/2025) Around 1.4 million Michiganders are not getting food stamps until the federal government has the money to pay for the food assistance program, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was alerted Thursday. 

Federal officials reported that “due to the ongoing federal government funding lapse," the money isn't there to pay full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. DHHS is being told to hold any future benefits until further notice. 

“The impact of households losing SNAP benefits will be felt around the state,” said DHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “SNAP is more than a food assistance program. It's a lifeline for many Michigan families. It helps families put nutritious food on the table, supports local farmers and grocers, and strengthens our communities and economy.” 

Nearly 13 percent of Michigan residents receive SNAP, a program dedicated to low-income residents. Of the recipients, about 43 percent are families with children and 36 percent are families with members who are older adults or disabled, according to DHHS. 

The news comes as the federal government shutdown goes into its fourth week. It's the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The longest was 35 days during the first President Donald Trump administration. 

FY 2024, the average SNAP household in Michigan received $335.03 in benefits per month, which is about $173 per person per month or $5.68 per person per day. Households with very low incomes receive more SNAP benefits than households closer to the poverty line because they need more help affording nutritious food, according to DHHS. 

SNAP benefits are automatically recharged on a recipient's EBT card starting the third of every month, if recipients' Social Security number ends with 0. From there, benefits are rolled out every two days until the 21st, if the recipients' Social Security number ends in 9. In 12 days, the first wave of people will feel the effects of no federal food assistance.