Millions of Households Will Not Receive Critical Food and Energy Assistance Starting November 1, as Government Shutdown Enters Day 31

Tomorrow (November 1) marks a critical point in the ongoing government shutdown, now on its 31st day. Congress has not passed funding bills for fiscal year (FY) 2026, which began on October 1, or a continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily maintain funding for federal programs and services. Democrats are withholding their support of a CR to pressure Republicans into agreeing to an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits slated to expire at the end of the year.  

Open enrollment for ACA coverage in 2026 begins on November 1; without an extension, health insurance premiums will increase, and millions will be at risk of losing their healthcare coverage. In addition, November 1 marks the first day that millions of households who receive assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will not receive their benefits.  

Food Assistance Under Threat   

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the federal department responsible for administering food assistance, rural affordable housing and community development funds, and other important programs, announced it would run out of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on November 1, and would not be able to provide payments to households until the shutdown ends. SNAP provides food assistance to about 42 million people with low incomes, about one in eight people in the U.S. As with housing assistance, the vast majority of those served by SNAP are families with children, people with disabilities, older adults, caregivers, students, and workers paid low wages. 

Analysts at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) point out the Trump administration has tools at its disposal to ensure SNAP benefits are paid for all households through November. CBPP notes “nearly two-thirds of the funds needed for a full month of benefits are available in SNAP’s contingency fund, and must be used when regular funding for SNAP runs short,” and that the Trump administration is legally required to release these funds in the event of a shortfall. USDA’s shutdown contingency plan, since removed from the USDA website, states that SNAP contingency funds “can be used for State Administrative Expenses to ensure that the State can also continue operations during a Federal Government shutdown.”  

Twenty-five states filed a lawsuit on October 28 to force the Trump administration to use the USDA contingency fund to cover November SNAP benefits. As of this article’s writing, the lawsuit was being considered by a federal district court judge in Boston. The judge appeared to be leaning towards requiring the Trump administration to use the contingency fund to provide at least partial assistance payments to households. 

In addition to uncertain funding, new work reporting requirements for SNAP benefits will take effect on November 1. These requirements, enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) passed in July, are expected to result in an estimated 2.4 million people losing their assistance each month until 2034. With less food assistance, as well as the potential for increased medical insurance premiums, families with low incomes will have even tighter budgets and less money every month for the cost of other necessities, like housing.  

Home Energy Assistance Payments Delayed  

In addition to SNAP assistance, the 6.2 million households who rely on LIHEAP to help afford home heating and cooling costs are expected to experience delays in receiving their November assistance. LIHEAP is a crucial resource for households with low incomes, and in particular households occupied by people who may be especially susceptible to extreme heat or extreme cold. LIHEAP also plays an important role in housing affordability, as HUD considers housing “affordable” if a household spends no more than 30% of their adjusted income on rent/mortgage plus utilities.  

In April, the Trump administration fired the entire staff responsible for administering LIHEAP to states at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). At the time, advocates expressed concern for how shutting down the LIHEAP office would impact HHS’s ability to distribute funds, and respond to technical assistance or other requests from states. Remaining staff at HHS who would have been tasked with administering the program have been furloughed during the shutdown. 

In an October 27 letter, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) urged HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought to ensure that LIHEAP funding is distributed without delay, particularly as the winter months set in and temperatures drop.  

“I urge the Administration to prioritize continuous funding of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through the government shutdown,” wrote Rep. Fitzpatrick. “No household should have to choose between keeping their homes safe temperatures, basic health care, or having food on the table.” 

Take Action 

Use NLIHC’s toolkits and resources to take action on FY26 funding, including by:   

• Using NLIHC’s advocacy toolkit, “Opposing Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing,” to call on Congress to protect and expand affordable housing and homelessness resources, including NLIHC’s priorities:  
• Full funding to renew all existing tenant-based voucher contracts, to ensure the people and families who rely on an HCV or EHV to keep a roof over their heads do not lose their assistance. Check out the “EHV Funding Cliff Mobilization Toolkit” for more information, including talking points and resources. 
• $4.922 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants (HAG) program, and for HUD to stick to its commitment to a two-year Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Continuum of Care Program. 
• $5.7 billion for public housing operations, and at least $5 billion to address public housing capital needs.  
• $15 million for the Eviction Protection Grant Program (EPGP), as provided in the Senate’s spending bill. 
• At least $1.3 billion for HUD’s Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program and $150 million for IHBG-Competitive funds, targeted to Tribes with the greatest needs.   

The toolkit includes talking points, advocacy materials, engagement ideas, and more resources for advocates to weigh-in with their members of Congress on the importance of these vital resources!    

• Emailing or calling members’ offices to tell them about the importance of affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources to you, your family, your community, or your work. You can use NLIHC’s Take Action page to look up your member offices or call/send an email directly! 
• Sharing stories of those directly impacted by homelessness and housing instability. Storytelling adds emotional weight to your message and can help lawmakers see how their policy decisions impact actual people. Learn about how to tell compelling stories with this resource.   

National, state, local, Tribal, and territorial organizations can also join over 2,800 organizations on CHCDF’s national letter calling on Congress to support the highest level of funding possible for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources in FY26.    

Visit NLIHC’s Advocacy Hub for more information and resources that can help you take action and help protect the affordable housing programs people rely on.