Last updated: December 5, 2025
Reductions and restrictions to SNAP benefits, losses of critical federally funded programs, and the longest government shutdown in history from October 1, 2025 to November 12, 2025, have created a tenuous landscape for hundreds of thousands of Washington residents. Many are experiencing greater food insecurity while others are experiencing food insecurity for the first time.
The DSHS began issuing full November food assistance benefits to people in Washington state on November 6. It is expected that all Washington residents who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the state of Washington will receive their benefits by November 15. However, the interuption in benefits and new restrictions to access have a negative impact. More than 930,000 Washington State residents rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to support their nutritional needs each month. Learn updates on the situation and what you can do to help below.
Advocate
You can use your voice to advocate for neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
Take Action Today:
Donate Funds
Your donation enables us to keep healthy food and vital resources accessible to the growing number of people needing help keeping food on the table. We provide market shopping, home grocery delivery, youth nutrition, case management, and emergency assistance programs. Donate online or learn more about ways to give.
Donate Food and Goods
Your donations of priority food, toiletry, and baby items help us to provide the resources our shoppers need the most. See our full Priority Needs List and the schedule for drop-off dates at our warehouse through the end of the year.
Volunteer
We expect to see a large influx in the number of neighbors accessing our services in the coming weeks. We want to be prepared to welcome them and serve them as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Our volunteers are integral to our operations and we are so thankful to have a dedicated and enthusiastic community. Check out our upcoming volunteer opportunities, and reach out to our Volunteer Engagement Lead with any questions.
SNAP Work Changes Take Effect December 1
New rules could impact tens of thousands of Washington families.
What’s changing?
Work 80+ hours/month (≈20 hrs/week), or
Join the BFET program, or
Combine work, volunteering, or training to meet 80 hours.
Who’s affected?
Veterans, young adults leaving foster care, people experiencing homelessness, parents with kids over 14, and adults 18–64 not working full-time.
Refugees, asylum seekers, and some immigrants will lose eligibility.
Up to 170,300 Washingtonians could be affected.
Check DSHS notices for eligibility updates.
Understand exemptions (health, caregiving, school, treatment programs).
Keep documentation of work or training hours.
Contact local DSHS or BFET programs for help.
National: Urge members of Congress to cosponsor and support the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025, which repeals the cuts to SNAP.
Sharing in collaboration with our partners at the Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition.
With the federal government shutdown continuing, SNAP benefits are set to end November 1, leaving more than 1 million Washingtonians at risk of losing critical food support.
In response, Governor Bob Ferguson has announced $2.2 million per week in emergency state funding to help food banks meet rising demand. These dollars will flow through existing TEFAP, EFAP, and Tribal EFAP contracts to get resources out quickly. Expect additional details from WSDA in the coming days. While this short-term support will help, it cannot replace federal SNAP funding.
The USDA has the authority and responsibility to release contingency funds to keep SNAP running but the Trump Administration is refusing to act. To push back, Attorney General Nick Brown joined 24 other state AGs and DC in suing USDA to demand release of November SNAP funds. Your voice matters too.
Take Action Today:
We just received an update from our partners at DSHS on the federal government shutdown and its potential impact on SNAP benefits. If the shutdown continues past October 31, November SNAP benefits may be paused, leaving many families without critical food assistance. Temporary layoffs and reduced operations at DSHS will begin November 4, including at tribal outstations and mobile offices.
This will directly affect our community: