Economy

Shutdown complicates state efforts to implement new SNAP rules

The Big Beautiful Bill law includes massive fiscal penalties for states that miscalculate payments.
Bread, which is covered by the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is displayed for sale at a grocery store Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

State workers who process food stamp benefits are struggling to implement major federal changes to the program while also managing federal government shutdown-related delays and disruptions.

Complying with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was always going to be a challenge, experts say. But the chaos of the shutdown has only made matters worse.

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