Government shutdown to stop Utahns from receiving food stamps
Oct 22, 2025, 10:11 AM | Updated: Oct 25, 2025, 1:40 pm
FILE - Jaqueline Benitez, who depends on California's SNAP benefits to help pay for food, shops for groceries at a supermarket in Bellflower, Calif., Feb. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner, File)
(AP Photo/Allison Dinner, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — Payments for food stamps will not be issued in November because of the federal government shutdown, the Utah Department of Workforce Services announced Wednesday.
Becky Wickstrom with the Department of Workforce Services explains how food stamps will be affected on Inside Sources and what people can do to prepare 👇
Workforce Services said it anticipates that food stamps, or SNAP benefits, won’t resume until the government reopens.
“SNAP is a 100% federally funded program that helps about 86,000 Utah households buy food each month,” Utah DWS said.
The announcement said all SNAP services could be impacted if the government doesn’t reopen by Nov. 1. It was initially unclear whether those with a balance on their SNAP account would be able to use it come November, but Utah DWS later confirmed that money would still be available to spend.
“Customers are encouraged to plan for this possibility, as there is a chance cards will not work after that date, even if there is a balance in the account,” Utah DWS said.
The department recommended that those in need of food assistance find information about local food pantries by calling 211 or visiting 211Utah.org.
Wednesday marked the 22nd day of the government shutdown — already the second-longest shutdown ever.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the Utah Department of Workforce Services announcement that people with a balance on their SNAP account would be able to spend that money in November. Initially, the department did not know whether that would be the case.
