Resources for the Federal Shutdown and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Cuts
As many of you may know, the federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025 is negatively impacting many facets of society, including food assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that SNAP benefits will expire on November 1st and will not be restored until the federal shutdown is over. I am disappointed that USDA has chosen to not use contingency funds that it has to ensure food access during this time period, as every other administration in history has done during a government shutdown.
It is a priority of mine to make sure that the people of the 8th Suffolk district have access to food. My office has assembled some resources for food assistance for those affected by SNAP cuts. As always, if you have questions or need assistance connecting with local food resources, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
A new SNAP Response Hub webpage is now live, featuring a municipal-level map showing the impact of SNAP across Massachusetts, information on where residents can access food assistance, and ways community members and businesses can contribute. Additionally, to combat the Republican-manufactured government shutdown, I joined a letter from 152 Massachusetts Legislators urging funding for SNAP. The letter is linked here.
Local Food Pantries
The Greater Boston Food Bank partners with over 600 hunger relief agencies in the Boston area, all of which are determined to help Boston’s residents have access to food. By simply putting in your zip code in the Greater Boston Food Bank’s Partner Agency Locator, it will direct you to nearby food pantries and other accessible sources of food.
Fenway Cares
The Fenway Community Center distributes food every other Wednesday (dates available on their website) at two locations in the Fenway area (the Symphony Community Park and the Fenway Community Center). If you are unable to go to either location and you are a resident of the Fenway area, you may also request a delivery from Fenway Cares.
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)
ABCD operates five Food Access Centers (food pantries) for Boston residents. Individuals must contact them in advance to schedule an appointment or be placed on a list. Please call them at 857.278.3105 (West End Neighborhood Center), 617.523.8125 (North End / West End NSC), or 617.348.6218 (Central Office) to be directed for more information.
General Resources
Don’t know where to start? Findhelp.org, helps you locate Food Bank information via zip code as well as connects a constituent to many other vital social services they may need during these uncertain times. You may access the website directly here: findhelp.org by findhelp - Search and Connect to Social Care
Alternatively, if you prefer making phone calls to navigating websites, you can call Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333. You can find information about food programs or chat with Project Bread's counselors by calling or texting the hotline number. Or you can chat with a counselor online by using the Live Chat feature on the bottom of our Help Directory webpage. Call 1-800-645-8333 or visit www.projectbread.org/gethelp to learn more and connect with resources. The Hotline Hours are: Mon-Fri - 8am - 7pm & Sat: 10am - 2pm.
For Seniors
The Ethos Nutrition program started in 1973 and is one of more than 5,000 local Senior Nutrition Programs in the United States. Through its home delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) and congregate meals (Community Cafés) programs, Ethos provides well over 2,634,000 meals to seniors who need them annually. The organization also offers nutrition check-ups and counseling from a licensed dietician. To join a community cafe, call 617-477-6688.
Meals On Wheels
Meals on Wheels is a program that offers well-balanced meals to adults through home delivery or congregated dining sites, and is run by senior nutrition agencies located throughout Massachusetts. If you need home-delivered meals, staff will make an appointment for a home-delivered meal assessment. To sign up for Meals on Wheels, call their Intake Line at Boston Elder Info at (617) 292-621.
Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)
As long as a SNAP recipient keeps at least $0.01 on their EBT account, they can access $40+ of HIP for local fruits and vegetables in November. HIP is a state funded program (thanks to your support!) and is not affected by the shutdown. You can find HIP locations here, please select November in the 'month of operation' option.
If you need help accessing or utilizing any of these resources or have any other questions in general, please email me at Jay.Livingstone@mahouse.gov and my staff and I will be happy to assist.
Not sure what is and is not affected by the shutdown?
Services That Will Continue
Core Federal Benefits: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs benefits, and the Postal Service will continue uninterrupted as mandatory or self-funded programs.
Public Safety and National Security: Military, national security, and federal law enforcement (FBI, DEA, Border Patrol) remain active, though many personnel are working unpaid.
Transportation and Travel: Air travel continues at Logan Airport and regional airports with TSA officers and air traffic controllers on duty, though delays may increase if the shutdown persists.
Emergency and Disaster Response: FEMA continues active disaster operations but has paused new grants and reimbursements.
Education and Health Programs: Federal student aid (Pell Grants, student loans) and state-supported programs such as MassHealth, public schools, police, fire, and transit services continue under state or prior-year funding.
Services Losing Funding After November 1
(Programs reliant on annual appropriations that will face interruptions early November)
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program):
Over 1 million Massachusetts residents depend on SNAP, totaling about $240 million in monthly benefits.
Without appropriations, payments will stop after November 1, leaving no state mechanism to replace lost funds.
Food banks such as the Greater Boston Food Bank are preparing for sharp increases in demand.
WIC (Women, Infants & Children):
Serves about 90,000 residents statewide.
Funds will run out within 1–2 weeks after November 1; temporary national transfers only provide a short extension.
Head Start:
Supports 12,000 low-income preschoolers in Massachusetts.
Grant renewals freeze November 1, risking closures in Springfield, Lawrence, Fall River, and many other communities.
Program disruptions will affect childcare, nutrition, and developmental services.
Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP):
Massachusetts’ federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program will pause new funding after November 1 if the shutdown continues.
Local agencies, such as ABCD, warn that applications may be delayed or frozen, risking shortfalls by mid-November and leaving thousands of low-income and elderly residents without heating support.
Services That Will Not Continue
(Programs and operations suspended until funding resumes)
Small Business Administration: New loans and guarantees paused, limiting credit access for small businesses and contractors.
Fisheries & Agriculture: NOAA and USDA loan programs, permits, and data collection halted—affecting farmers and fisheries’ planning and exports.
Federal Research & Grants: New funding from NIH, NSF, and DOE paused; major institutions (UMass, MIT, Harvard, Mass General) report project delays.
Tourism & Parks: Cape Cod National Seashore and Boston National Historical Park closed or minimally staffed, reducing tourism revenue.
Immigration and Visa Processing: Significant delays for international students, researchers, and workers in higher-education and biotech sectors.
Federal Data and Operations: Census Bureau, BLS, and USDA market reporting remain shut down, halting key data used for planning and forecasting.
Federal Workforce: Thousands of Massachusetts federal employees remain furloughed without guaranteed back pay, reducing local economic activity statewide.