When the government shutdown will affect SNAP, Head Start and military pay – Chicago Tribune

As the federal government shutdown approaches for almost a month, Americans are beginning to see the cascading effects of programs shut down due to failures in federal funding. Some states are scrambling to find ways to close shortfalls in food aid and child development assistance, and members of the military are also on the verge of missing their first paycheck.

Some federal workers have already been without pay for weeks. But nearly a month later, the reserves that have kept some programs afloat since the shutdown began are dwindling, leading to new complications as Congress remains unable to reach a new deal to fund the federal government.

A look at what millions of Americans can expect this week:

Friday

According to the Trump administration, funding for the food assistance program that 42 million Americans rely on to supplement their grocery bills will run out. The administration has refused to use more than $5 billion in reserve funds to continue the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through November.

SNAP helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries using debit cards normally charged monthly by the federal government. Some states have committed to continuing benefits even if the federal program halts payments, but a memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture — which administers the program — says states would not be reimbursed for temporarily covering costs.

Another program that helps more than 6 million low-income mothers, young children and expectant parents buy basic nutritious products, like formula, will likely run out of funds the following week. Earlier this month, WIC received a $300 million infusion from the Trump administration, but those funds are also running out.

Also on Friday, the 1.3 million military personnel on active duty risk not receiving their salaries. Earlier this month, the Trump administration ensured they were paid by shifting $8 billion from military research and development funds to payroll. But it’s unclear whether the Trump administration is willing — or able — to move money again.

Last week, the Pentagon confirmed that it had accepted an anonymous donation of $130 million to help pay the military during the shutdown, a bequest that amounted to a small contribution to the billions needed to cover military salaries.

SATURDAY

More than 130 Head Start preschool programs will not receive their annual federal grants on Nov. 1 if the government remains shut down, according to the National Head Start Association.

The centers are scrambling to gauge how long they can stay open, since almost all of their funding comes from federal taxpayers. Head Start provides education and child care to the nation’s most needy preschool children. When a center is closed, families may have to miss work or school.

With new grants on hold, a half-dozen Head Start programs have already missed the federal disbursements they expected on Oct. 1, but have remained open with rapidly dwindling reserves or with help from local governments. In total, more than 65,000 seats in Head Start programs across the country could be affected.

Also Saturday, the window opens to enroll in Affordable Care Act health plans. In recent years, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has allowed consumers to preview their health coverage options about a week before open enrollment. But as of this week, Healthcare.gov appears to be showing health insurance plans for 2025 and their estimated prices, instead of next year’s options.