CW: Food Insecurity & Poverty
SNAP benefits, formerly called food stamps, will be halted in several states if the federal government shutdown continues for much longer. Politico reports that 25 states have already sent letters to recipients notifying them that no SNAP benefits will be issued in November.
For the millions of people in America who depend on SNAP, which is short for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, this could be catastrophic. The program makes it possible for people to afford food and makes their money last longer. Without a meaningful solution, the loss of SNAP benefits threatens not only access to food but also the dignity and stability of those who rely on it.
Among those who will struggle the most are disabled Americans. For many disabled people, SNAP is more than a food program. It is a necessity that allows them to be healthy and independent.
Many disabled people live in poverty. They may also receive benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SNAP helps bridges the gap and guarantees access to healthy food.
In the United States, about 10 percent of SNAP participants are nonelderly individuals with a disability. In fact, four out of five SNAP households include either a child, an elderly person, or a disabled adult. These households account for 88 percent of all SNAP participants and receive 83 percent of all SNAP benefits.
Without SNAP, more disabled people will suffer from food insecurity. Poor nutrition may cause existing health problems to worsen, and may increase the number of hospital visits. On a national level, diet-related conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke contribute to over $50 billion in healthcare costs each year. These are not just numbers. They represent people facing preventable suffering, financial stress, and declining health.
For many people, losing SNAP can mean more than just missing meals. It can mean losing the ability to live independently. Without access to consistent, nutritious food, health begins to decline. Managing chronic conditions becomes harder, fatigue increases, and everyday tasks feel more overwhelming.
For some, this leads to a heartbreaking shift: leaving their homes and moving into long-term care facilities. That kind of transition is not just a change in location. It also means giving up the freedom to make simple choices, like what to eat or when to go outside. These are the choices that help people feel in control of their own lives.
Disabled people value their independence and fight to keep that independence. They navigate complex systems, stretch limited resources, and advocate for themselves every day. Losing SNAP can unravel those efforts. Once independence is lost, it can be incredibly difficult to regain.
The emotional weight of living in a long-term care facility often takes a serious toll. As physical and mental health decline, the ability to return to independent living becomes even more out of reach. What starts as the loss of food assistance can quickly become a chain reaction of setbacks that are hard to stop.
People rely on SNAP to stay fed, stay well, and stay in control of their lives. Taking that away doesn’t just cause hunger. It chips away at health, independence, and dignity. No one should have to fight this hard just to eat.
Sources:
Goldberg, Carey. “Health Care Costs of Unhealthy American Diet? At Least $50 B a Year, Study Estimates.” WBUR News, Boston University, 20 Dec. 2019, http://www.wbur.org/news/2019/12/20/health-care-costs-of-unhealthy-american-diet-at-least-50b-a-year-study-estimates.
Jardim, Thiago Veiga, et al. “Cardiometabolic Disease Costs Associated with Suboptimal Diet in the United States: A Cost Analysis Based on a Microsimulation Model.” PLOS Medicine, vol. 16, no. 12, Public Library of Science, Dec. 2019, p. e1002981, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002981.
Walcott, Lauren, and James Ziegeweid. “Characteristics Report by USDA Provides Insights Into Who Participates in SNAP.” Food Research & Action Center, Food Research & Action Center, 27 June 2025, frac.org/blog/characteristics-report-by-usda-provides-insights-into-who-participates-in-snap.
Yarrow, Grace. “States Warn Food Aid Benefits Will Halt if Federal Shutdown Drags On.” Politico, Axel Springer SE, 23 Oct. 2025, www.politico.com/news/2025/10/23/states-snap-food-aid-benefits-government-shutdown-00619117.