Benefits and Travel Issues: How the Shutdown Could Affect Your Life

Millions of Americans will not receive food stamps on Saturday, November 1, due to the government shutdown, the Trump administration warned. The consequences of the crisis threaten to affect an increasing number of citizens, writes Forbes.

Chronology of events

October 30 — More federal workers are expected to miss out on their full paychecks after the first group didn't receive theirs on October 24, and air traffic controllers didn't receive theirs on October 27.

October 31 — Military personnel are expected to receive their paychecks, but it's still unclear whether this will happen. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stated on October 27, "We're not 100% certain," and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on October 26, "I think we'll be able to start paying them in November."

The Department of Defense previously reallocated $8 billion from research and development funds to pay military salaries in mid-October. However, these funds are insufficient to cover the October 31 payout.

On the subject: Thousands of flights are being delayed daily in the US due to the shutdown.

November 1 — Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act begins. Insurance premiums will increase by an average of 30% unless the government extends certain measures (such as subsidies or tax credits that help people afford insurance). This is one of the Democrats' demands for a vote to reopen the government.

November 1 Nearly 42 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will not receive food stamps, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced. The agency's website states, "The bottom line: the well has run dry." Department officials are urging Democrats to vote for the government funding bill. They called November 1 a "turning point for Senate Democrats."

November 5 — The government shutdown will be the longest in history, breaking the record of 35 days set in 2018–2019 during Trump's first term.

November 15 — Military personnel will not receive their scheduled salaries, Bessent announced on October 26. He warned, "By November 15, our troops and service members willing to risk their lives will not be able to receive their salaries."

November 27 — Thanksgiving. The days before and after the holiday are among the busiest for travel. The government shutdown has already caused flight delays, as unpaid airport employees, such as Transportation Security Administration workers and air traffic controllers, began taking sick leave. During Trump's previous government shutdown, the airport staffing shortages that caused flight delays were considered one of the main reasons he decided to end the crisis. Amtrak, according to the Amtrak Travel Association, is unlikely to be affected, as it has sufficient funds to continue normal operations. However, Amtrak infrastructure projects could be impacted if federal funding from the Department of Transportation is delayed.

About half of the federal workforce has been affected: 670,000 employees were furloughed on October 1, and another 730,000 "essential" workers—such as law enforcement and military personnel—continue to work without pay. Members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, and federal judges continue to receive their salaries.

Federal employees who were unpaid during the shutdown are typically compensated once the government reopens, but the Trump administration has stated it is considering ways to avoid such retroactive payments. The House of Representatives has adjourned for the duration of the crisis, and Speaker Johnson has stated that he will not return to session until the Senate resolves the deadlock.

How States Are Trying to Maintain SNAP Benefits

On October 28, 25 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent the end of food stamp payments on November 1, arguing that the Department of Agriculture is obligated to use emergency funds to cover these payments. The agency stated last week that it would not use the reserve funds. They are "legally unavailable" to cover expenses during a government shutdown and are intended for emergencies such as natural disasters.

Legislators and governors in some states are taking steps to partially fill the SNAP funding gap following the end of federal payments. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry approved a $150 million plan to cover a portion of SNAP payments in early November. Virginia Governor Glenn Yankin declared a state of emergency and created a new state program to maintain benefits, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced $30 million in emergency funds for food assistance.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's office announced it would expedite the allocation of $80 million in state funding for food banks and deploy the National Guard. The Department of Agriculture warned states that they would not be reimbursed for food stamp costs during the government shutdown.

The main figure

Fifty-two percent of Americans said the government shutdown had no impact on their lives, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted Oct. 24-26.

Context

On October 28, the Senate rejected the Republican-backed spending bill that would have reopened the government for the 13th time. Democrats refuse to support the short-term budget without guarantees of extending the Affordable Care Insurance tax credits, which expire at the end of the year, and reversing Medicaid cuts.

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To pass the 60-vote threshold, the Senate needs at least seven Democratic votes, assuming all Republicans support the bill. Trump and his allies have repeatedly blamed the government shutdown on Democrats, and many federal agencies have posted notices on their websites attributing potential disruptions to Democrats' refusal to vote for the Republican funding plan.

Trump himself has been largely sidelined from the negotiations, but has made it clear he intends to punish Democrats for the crisis by permanently cutting programs and agencies that reflect their priorities. However, on October 28, a federal judge permanently blocked the Trump administration's plans to cut staff during the government shutdown.

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Banks and credit unions are calling on Congress to end the shutdown or risk economic collapse.

Americans will no longer receive food stamp benefits due to the shutdown.

Naturalization ceremonies are being canceled due to the shutdown, but participants are not being warned.

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