Federal shutdown leads to strain on Arizona food assistance programs

October 31, 2025: Information is evolving as the expiration of funding for SNAP benefits approaches. ABC15 is reporting a judge ruled the Trump Administration can’t suspend SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

The U.S. Congress failed to pass appropriations by the September 30, 2025, deadline, triggering a funding lapse which is rippling through Arizona’s nutrition safety net, raising concerns among food-banks, program administrators and thousands of residents.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Arizona issued October benefits as scheduled, but the state warns benefits will be unavailable beginning November 1, 2025, until federal funding is restored. On October 23, the Arizona Department of Economic Security stated they “will be unable to provide Nutrition Assistance (NA or SNAP) benefits in November until further notice,” adding, “Approved participants of the SNAP program will be unable to collect November benefits until federal funding is released to states.”

On Wednesday, October, 29, 2025, Governor Katie Hobbs announced her office would deploy $1.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support Arizonans affected by the lack of SNAP assistance, adding “$300,000 in funds will be deployed to Food Bucks Now, a new emergency fresh food program deployed through the Double Up Arizona network to shore up food assistance for families who participate in SNAP.”

Ashley St. Thomas, Director of Public Policy at the Arizona Food Bank Network, joined “Arizona Horizon” on Wednesday to explain how the end of SNAP benefits in the state might impact those who rely on them.

Locate a food bank near you

To locate a food bank near you, view this list on the Arizona Food Bank Network’s website. Or download a flyer with information in English and Spanish about emergency food assistance courtesy of NourishPHX.

How you can help

Community support is crucial. Donations to regional food-banks like the Arizona Food Bank Network, St. Mary’s Food Bank, United Food Bank, Yuma Community Food Bank and others help maintain essential services. Volunteers, whether to sort food, take phone calls or serve neighbors, and financial contributions allow these agencies to expand capacity when more members of the community are seeking help.

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What this means going forward

Food-banks warn that even with current supports in place, a prolonged shutdown could stress the system. They emphasize the need for funding to cover transportation, staffing and food procurement so they can respond to increased demand. School-meal and child-nutrition programs are expected to continue for now, but they may face staffing or delivery delays if the shutdown drags on.

This information originally supplied by Arizona Food Bank Network.