Government Shutdown Ends, Restoring Food Stamp Benefits

Intermediate | November 18, 2025

✨ 혼자서 기사를 소리 내어 읽거나 튜터를 따라 각 단락을 반복해서 읽으세요. 레벨...

Shutdown Ends: How the shutdown restores food stamps for Millions

The U.S. federal government has officially reopened after a multi-week shutdown—the longest in U.S. history—after President Donald Trump signed a Republican funding bill on November 12, 2025, to keep agencies running through January. According to reporting from The Epoch Times, Al Jazeera, and Time, one of the biggest impacts is the restoration of food stamp benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for low-income households, after payments were delayed or reduced in many states.

Why the Shutdown Happened

The shutdown began after Congress failed to reach an agreement on federal spending bills, with disputes over border security funding, overall spending caps, and how long the next funding extension should last. As negotiations stalled, several government services were suspended, and SNAP distribution was disrupted when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned it could not legally fund November benefits without new appropriations. Lawsuits in multiple states challenged this decision, and a series of court rulings—some ordering full payments, others limiting them—added to the confusion for agencies and families. (See coverage from PBS NewsHour and The Epoch Times.)

Families and Local Stores Felt Immediate Pressure

During the shutdown, families relying on monthly food assistance faced difficult decisions. News outlets reported that some households had to cut back on groceries, skip meals, or turn to local food banks as a temporary lifeline. Roughly 42 million Americans depend on SNAP in a typical month, so even short delays created serious stress. Small grocery stores—especially in rural areas where many customers pay with SNAP—also struggled with lower sales and uncertainty about when funds would arrive. (AP News, Politico)

What Happens Now That Benefits Are Restored?

With the shutdown over, states have resumed processing SNAP payments. This marks the moment when the shutdown restores food stamps fully for families nationwide. The USDA has told states that funding is now available again, and most states expect to deliver November benefits within a few days to a week. For example, North Carolina announced that full November SNAP payments would be loaded on EBT cards by Friday after the deal to reopen the government, while Maryland scheduled the return to 100% benefits on November 18. (NCDHHS, CBS News Baltimore, Axios)

Leaders Push for Long-Term Stability

Lawmakers from both parties say the shutdown highlighted weaknesses in the current system. Anti-hunger advocates and policy groups such as the Food Research & Action Center argue that critical programs like SNAP should be shielded from future shutdowns or partisan budget fights. Some members of Congress have called for automatic funding protections for essential benefits, while others want stricter deadlines and penalties to discourage brinkmanship over the federal budget. (FRAC summary via Time)

Vocabulary

Restore (verb) – to bring back or return something to its previous state.
Example: “The government restored food stamp benefits after the shutdown ended.”
Assistance (noun) – help or support.
Example: “Many families rely on food assistance programs.”
Distribute (verb) – to give out or deliver.
Example: “States struggled to distribute SNAP benefits during the shutdown.”
Negotiate (verb) – to discuss terms in order to reach an agreement.
Example: “Lawmakers continued to negotiate the federal budget.”
Backlog (noun) – a buildup of tasks or work that needs to be completed.
Example: “Officials are working through the backlog of SNAP applications.”
Impact (noun) – a strong effect or influence.
Example: “The shutdown had a major impact on low-income families.”
Suspend (verb) – to temporarily stop something.
Example: “Some services were suspended during the shutdown.”
Essential (adjective) – necessary or very important.
Example: “Food is an essential part of every family’s budget.”
Dispute (noun) – a disagreement or argument.
Example: “Political disputes caused delays in passing the budget.”
Stability (noun) – the state of being steady or secure.
Example: “Lawmakers hope to create more stability in future funding.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What caused the government shutdown?
How did the shutdown affect food stamp benefits?
What challenges did families face during the shutdown?
How are states managing the return of benefits now?
What do lawmakers want to change for future situations?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

How important are programs like SNAP for low-income families?
Should essentials like food assistance be protected from political disputes?
How might shutdowns affect local businesses?
What can governments do to reduce delays in critical programs?
What other services are usually affected by government shutdowns?

Related Idiom

“On the mend” – improving or recovering after a difficult period.
Example: “With benefits restored, many families feel like things are finally on the mend.”

📢 Want more tips like this? 👉 Sign up for the All About English Mastery Newsletter!
https://allaboutenglishmastery.com/newsletter

Want to finally Master English but don’t have the time? Mastering English for Busy Professionals is the course for you! Check it out now!

Follow our YouTube Channel @All_About_English for more great insights and tips.

This article was inspired by:
The Epoch Times – https://www.theepochtimes.com