Many Central Texas families told KVUE they are bracing for the worst and are begging lawmakers to find a solution.

AUSTIN, Texas — Roughly 3.5 million Texans are expected not to receive money from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in November due to the government shutdown. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) posted a notice at the top of its website indicating millions will go without critical food assistance, saying the “well has run dry.”

In a memo obtained by KVUE, officials with the USDA said the agency can’t use its contingency funds to cover the shortfall because the money is “not legally available to cover regular benefits.” Instead, the agency noted the money is geared toward emergencies such as natural disasters and the only way for SNAP to continue is for the shutdown to end. 

Families in Central Texas are left with an unclear path without funds in their pockets and a shutdown with no end in sight. 

Kristy Sims said she receives about $400 a month and uses it for her 3-year-old daughter. 

“My toddler is special needs, so there’s certain things that she eats and certain things that she doesn’t eat, and having those benefits help,” said Sims. “We didn’t choose our life to pan out this way, it’s just how it panned out and we receive benefits, but it doesn’t make us bad people or lazy.”

Christy Mohr uses SNAP toward nutritional drinks and perishable goods to help manager her critical condition.

“I have a brain tumor, so I get sick a lot, like suffering nausea, vomiting, stuff like that. And my stomach always has issues, so it really impacts me,” said Mohr. 

Many families reached out to KVUE on social media saying they are bracing for the worst and are begging lawmakers to find a solution. 


How Texas lawmakers are responding

KVUE reached out to Texas lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) said Republicans and Democrats must come to an agreement.

“President Trump has authority to transfer funds. He has a contingency fund that he can use. He could resolve this problem just as quickly as he sent $40 billion to Argentina or the billions he’s proposing to provide to the soybean farmers who’ve lost their Chinese markets because of his trade war,” said Doggett.

Doggett added when it comes to the health care fight, which has become a sticking point in the shutdown, hardworking Americans will be affected by high premiums.

“All we’re asking is that these health care premiums, we have the tax credits to keep them affordable,” said Doggett. “They’re using [immigration] as a part of their typical immigrant hysteria to fuel distraction from the central issue.”

KVUE reached out to Rep. Greg Casar (D-Austin) for an interview. He was unavailable, but his team referred us to a social media post where he pointed blame at Trump, “choosing to take money for food from millions of Americans.”

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released the following statement:

“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times against funding the government, which includes funding for SNAP. Food banks in Texas and across the country are doing everything they can to help those who rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. A food bank in Killeen, Texas, saw a 60% increase in military families seeking food during the shutdown. Democrats care more about providing health care for illegal aliens than ensuring that American citizens, including military families, mothers and babies, have access to food.”

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) also wasn’t available for an interview on Monday, but his team referred us to his remarks from last week where he pointed blame at Senate Democrats for the delay. 

“Texans who rely upon SNAP as a safety net to buy their groceries and feed their children will not have those benefits until this deranged shutdown comes to an end,” said Cornyn.


How the state is helping

On Monday, Feeding Texas said food banks across the state are ramping up emergency response efforts to support families.

The nonprofit organization said it estimates around 126,000 Texans are expected to be affected each day by the delayed payments.

“A delay in benefits isn’t just inconvenient – it’s devastating. It means empty pantries, skipped meals and added stress for families already living on the edge. Communities across Texas will feel the ripple effects, from our schools to our local economies. This is a moment that demands urgent action and compassion,” said Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole in a news release. 

The nonprofit organization is also providing data to help Texans understand the local impact of delayed SNAP benefits.