SNAP Payments Halted for November 1 — 10 Ways To Stretch What’s Left

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often referred to as "food stamps," helps low-income families and individuals tackle high grocery costs and put food on the table each month. It's the largest anti-hunger program in the U.S., helping more than 42 million people.

However, this lifeline is now in jeopardy. Due to the ongoing government shutdown that began on Oct. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that no SNAP benefits will be distributed on Nov. 1. The USDA warns that the funding halt will continue until Congress reaches a deal on the 2026 fiscal year budget, leaving millions uncertain about how they'll feed their families. 

If you're on SNAP and trying to make ends meet, especially amid this uncertainty, there are still steps you can take to make your grocery dollars go further. 

When there is a great sale at your local grocery store, use your SNAP money to stock up on the items you need. You will pay less per item than you would if you bought smaller quantities.

If you can afford a membership, you might also save money at Costco by making bulk purchases.

Check circulars or online ads before you plan your grocery list. This can help you find cheap and on-sale items to plan your meals based on what is affordable.

This method might also help you get fresher ingredients for your dishes, as in-season fruits and vegetables often go on sale.

You can lower your grocery bill by using coupons before you pay for items. This will help you maximize the food you can buy with your SNAP dollars.

Some stores will even allow you to stack store and manufacturer coupons, so check your retailer's policy.

There is no price better than free, so check ads and in-store labels for "buy one, get one free" sales.

These deals often are on name-brand items. If you are used to buying generic items, don't put your blinders on. BOGO deals can make the big brands worth a look.

Even with SNAP benefits, it can be hard to make ends meet. If you find it difficult to get all the food you need with SNAP, check out your local food pantry.

Local nonprofits and churches can also be good sources of food.

If you qualify for SNAP, you may also qualify for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

If you have school-age children, they may qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school. Many schools also offer free meals during the summer for kids under 18, regardless of income.

You can use your SNAP EBT card to order groceries online. This can save you time and money, as you will be less likely to make end-cap impulse purchases.

You may even qualify for cash back on your purchase if you use web extensions such as Rakuten.

It's a shame to let a good sale go to waste, so take advantage of discounts on canned goods.

These can be stored safely for long periods, so take advantage of the savings whenever you can.

When you use SNAP to pay for food, you might earn reward points or cash back if you belong to the retailer's loyalty program.

Use these incentives to stretch your SNAP dollars and buy more SNAP-eligible foods.

Did you know that you can use SNAP benefits to plant a garden? You can buy seeds or plants to grow your own food at home.

If you have a green thumb, gardening might be the most effective way to stretch your SNAP benefits. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for every $1 spent on seeds and fertilizer, you can grow $25 worth of food.

That makes buying seeds and plants with SNAP benefits a great way to get ahead financially.

Now is the time to prepare yourself financially. Since payments will be halted on Nov. 1, it is essential to make your SNAP dollars stretch as far as possible. 

Getting the most out of your SNAP benefits takes mindfulness and planning, but it will keep your pantry as full as possible when you are on a tight budget.