Some federal workers have already gone without pay for
weeks. But nearly a month in, reserves that had kept some programs afloat since
the shutdown began are dwindling, meaning new layers of complications as
Congress remains unable to reach a new agreement to fund the federal
government.
A look at what millions of Americans can expect this
week:
Friday (October 31st)
According to the Trump administration, funding will run
out for the food assistance program that
is relied upon by 42 million Americans to supplement their grocery bills. The
administration has rejected using more than $5 billion in contingency funds to
keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) flowing into
November.
SNAP helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries using
debit cards normally loaded each month by the federal government. Some states
have pledged to keep the benefits flowing 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
picking up the cost.
Another program that helps more than 6 million low-income
mothers, young children and expectant parents purchase nutritious staples, like
baby 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 running out, too.
Also on Friday, the nation’s 1.3 million active-duty
service members are at risk of missing a paycheck.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration ensured they were paid by shifting $8 billion from
military research and development funds to make payroll. But it is unclear if
the Trump administration is willing — or able — to shift money again.
Last week, the Pentagon confirmed that it had accepted an
anonymous $130 million gift to help pay military members during the shutdown, a
bequest that amounted to a small contribution toward the billions needed to
cover service member paychecks.
Saturday (November 1st)
More than 130 Head Start preschool programs
won’t receive their annual federal grants on Nov. 1 if the government remains
shut down, according to the National Head Start Association. Centers are
scrambling to assess how long they can stay open, since nearly all their
funding comes from federal taxpayers. Head Start provides education and childcare
for the nation’s neediest preschoolers. 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 federal disbursements they were expecting Oct. 1 but have
stayed open with fast-dwindling reserves or with help from local governments.
All told, more than 65,000 seats at Head Start programs across the country
could be affected.
Also Saturday, the window opens for enrolling in Affordable Care Act health plans. In past 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 appeared to show 2025 health insurance plans and estimated prices, instead of next year’s options.
