SNAP Benefits End if Shutdown Continues: Tips for SNAP Families from OKDHS

According to a press release from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will stop receiving them on November 1, 2025, due to the current government shutdown. This impacts 684,600 Oklahomans, and will undoubtably increase the burden on food banks, nonprofits and religious organizations who are already struggling to help support those less fortunate in our community, especially vulnerable children.

SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families so they can afford to buy the nutritious food necessary to health and well-being.

The temporary government shutdown has led to halting SNAP and many other federally funded programs and will continue until congress reaches a budget resolution.

The OKDHS provides the following tips for Oklahoma’s SNAP families during this time:

• SNAP households can currently continue using existing funds on EBT cards until October 31, 2025.
• The ability to use existing funds after October 31, 2025, remains unclear. Oklahoma Human Services urges households to plan ahead and carefully budget.
• SNAP households are encouraged to protect their existing funds from fraud by locking their EBT cards when not in use. EBT benefits that are electronically stolen will not be refunded.

If you wish to support friends and neighbors during this uncertain time, OKDHS suggests visiting Be a Neighbor (oklahoma.gov/okdhs/beaneighbor.html) for community resources.

Families who are SNAP recipients and have questions may visit Oklahoma.gov/okdhs/shutdown.html or call 405.522.5050.