Federal Updates

Federal Updates

November 14, 2025

The federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, ended on November 12, 2025. The U.S. Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the federal government through January 31, 2026, ending the shutdown. Importantly, this resolution includes full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September 30, 2026, ensuring stability for millions of households nationwide.

Prior to the shutdown ending, on November 8, 2025, the state stepped in with $72 million in state funds to ensure every recipient in Connecticut received their November SNAP benefits.

On November 12 and 13, 2025, the Connecticut General Assembly met in a special session to consider House Bill 8003 – An Act Concerning Temporary Adjustments to the Budget Reserve Fund and Appropriating Funds to Address Reductions in Federal Funding. This bill was passed by both the House and the Senate and will give the state additional flexibility to respond to any future reductions in federal support, including SNAP.

Lastly, the implementation of H.R.1, also known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill," passed by the federal government in July 2025 will begin in Connecticut on December 1, 2025. H.R.1 changes rules about SNAP benefits, namely through expanded work requirements. This pre-screener from the Department of Social Services helps SNAP recipients determine if their benefits will change. SNAP recipients in Connecticut are estimated to lose an average of $200 a month.

October 29, 2025

The State of Connecticut has allocated $3 million in emergency funding for Connecticut Foodshare to address the loss of SNAP benefits for November due to the Federal government shutdown. Connecticut Foodshare will receive the funds in two allocations of $1.5 million in each of the next two weeks to purchase food that will be available for our network of agency partners and for distribution on our Mobile Pantries.

• Read the Governor's news release
• View the Town Hall held October 28 with agency partners to explain the program
• View slides from the Town Hall meeting
• Simplified Find Help flyer (meant to be cut in half to save paper)
• Simplified Find Help Flyer (English)
• Simplified Find Help Flyer (Spanish)
• Simplified Find Help Flyer (English & Spanish for easy double sided printing)

October 22, 2025

The federal government shutdown is affecting food assistance programs, including SNAP. The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) has updated its web page with information about the potential for no benefits being issued for November. Read more here.

October 9, 2025

Connecticut Foodshare is preparing to take emergency action to ensure our community has access to the food it needs if the government shutdown continues. Read a statement from our President and CEO here. For more details on our emergency response, read this October 8 CT Mirror Article here. We will share more details with agency partners as our plans develop.

October 6, 2025

Connecticut Foodshare is preparing to take emergency action to ensure our community has access to the food it needs should the government shutdown persist. Read a statement from our President and CEO here.

October 1, 2025

With the government shutdown, Connecticut Foodshare is closely watching the potential effect on SNAP and WIC for our neighbors. SNAP benefits should be delivered in full and on their normal monthly issuance schedule through October. TEFAP entitlement and CSFP food orders are made in advance, and orders placed and confirmed prior to the shutdown are expected to be delivered as expected. Connecticut Foodshare will update agency partners as more information becomes available. Read a statement from our President and CEO here.

September 22, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is ending the Household Food Security Reports, which consistently tracked food insecurity data for 30 years in the United States. These reports provide critical insight into the scope and severity of food insecurity, helping policymakers, advocates, and food banks like ours better understand and respond to the needs of our neighbors. Read a statement from our CEO regarding this change.

Additional TEFAP Bonus Load Cancellation - Connecticut Foodshare learned today that the USDA has cancelled an additional TEFAP bonus load scheduled for June that was to include fresh grapes. This brings the total number of loads cancelled this year to 35.

The impacted loads have been removed from the TEFAP Food Forecast on our website.

Federal Spending Bill Passes House - The U.S. House of Representatives passed its bill covering the President’s spending and tax cuts early Wednesday, May 22. The bill includes significant cuts to programs including federal food assistance programs like SNAP, and other safety net programs including Medicaid. These potential cuts could significantly increase food insecurity.

The bill moves to the U.S. Senate for debate and mark-up, a process that will likely include changes to the proposed bill as it is currently written. Connecticut Foodshare, along with Feeding America and many other organizations, continues to advocate for the preservation of SNAP, TEFAP, and other programs that help our neighbors. We will monitor the bill as it moves through the Senate and provide updates when available.