As the federal government shutdown continues, the United States Department of Agriculture announced it will not distribute contingency funds to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for the month of November. As a result, food aid for the 41 million Americans who receive SNAP benefits may be halted indefinitely.
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) is deeply concerned about the impact this suspension of aid for food benefits will have on America’s children. Children in the U.S. account for about 39% of all SNAP participants. More than 35 states have already sounded alarms that their ability to administer SNAP benefits will be in jeopardy in the coming weeks, and many will not be able to close the gaps with state funds. If federal SNAP funds are not distributed on Nov. 1, just three days from now, millions of children across the country who depend on SNAP will likely go hungry.
As APRNs caring for children, NAPNAP members know firsthand the impact of food insecurity on a child’s health. Hunger is associated with physical and mental health issues, poor academic performance and malnutrition caused by inadequate access to food can result in impaired cognitive development. In a 2024 report, Nemours Children’s Health noted longer-term issues for people with food insecurity including greater risk of diet-related diseases like obesity, diabetes, hypertension and stroke. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers traumatic experiences like food insecurity an adverse childhood experience which is linked to poor physical and mental health in adulthood.
Jeopardizing the health and well-being of the millions of children whose families rely on SNAP benefits during political brinkmanship is reckless and unacceptable. NAPNAP urges Congress to immediately address federal funding to support SNAP benefits for the millions of children who are in jeopardy of going hungry in the very near future.
NAPNAP also encourages members of our 52 chapters to contact their federal elected leaders to help them fully understand the ramifications of failing to deliver SNAP benefits to children and families living in every county in every state in our country.
Oct. 29, 2025
