** Federal Government Shutdown:
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** The State Legislator’s Guide to the 2025 Federal Budget
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This is the new installment of a multi-part series, The State Legislator’s Guide to the 2025 Federal Budget ([link removed]) , where we’re unpacking the full impact of the federal budget bill and equipping state legislators with the resources and strategies they need to lead at this critical moment.

On Saturday, November 1, SNAP benefits will be cut off ([link removed]) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, leaving 42 million Americans without necessary food assistance.

While the Trump Administration refuses to release contingency funds through the USDA, advocates and state officials pursue legal action to force the funds to be released, and states, communities, and neighbors are stepping up to feed families.

Here is a snapshot of what states are doing to feed families after November 1:

* Michigan is temporarily expanding its Double Up Food Bucks program ([link removed]) , allowing SNAP recipients to use remaining benefits with an unlimited match to buy local fresh and frozen produce. Meanwhile, the Michigan Senate just approved $71 million to fund the state’s SNAP program ([link removed]) ; the bill now heads to the House.
* Vermont state legislators on Vermont’s Emergency Board approved $6 million in funds for SNAP ([link removed]) through November 15, allowing SNAP recipients to access half of their allotted funds for the next two weeks.
* Louisiana is providing $150 million in funds to cover some Louisiana SNAP recipients ([link removed]) through the end of the month. This comes after state legislators approved a resolution allowing the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to pull the funds from the LDH’s budget and the state’s Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund.
* Oregon declared a state of emergency and is directing $5 million in TANF ([link removed]) (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) carryover funds to Oregon food banks, while the state’s attorney general joined 25 states in suing ([link removed]) the USDA to release emergency funds.
* Virginia is creating a parallel food assistance program called Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance ([link removed]) that will provide funds through recipients’ EBT cards. The program will be funded on a weekly basis, costing the state approximately $37.5 million per week from the state’s surplus funds.

If you are a state legislator and would like assistance on how to respond to the SNAP benefits suspension, please reach out to SiX ([email protected]).

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We want to hear from you! What questions do you have about the budget reconciliation bill? What strategies or ideas are you working on with colleagues and partners in your state that we should share with the SiX network?
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