Two delivery services are trying to ease the burden on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients throughout the month of November if benefits are stopped.
Almost three million New Yorkers could be without federally-provided food assistance starting Nov. 1, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Oct. 27, as a message at the top of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website states no Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be issued on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Here’s what to know.
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a federal program that provides low-income families monthly benefits in order to afford healthy food. Over 40 million Americans rely on these benefits, including nearly three million New Yorkers.
Related: SNAP benefits may stop Nov. 1. How to find food banks in Lower Hudson Valley and New York
Why is the USDA freezing SNAP funding?
It’s due to the government shutdown, which is currently the second longest in history.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” a message on the USDA’s website says. “We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or repoen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”
Republicans are pushing to extend current funding levels to Nov. 21 through a stopgap solution, while Democrats are fighting for changes to healthcare access and subsidies, including additional healthcare funding, to overturn previously approved cuts in Medicaid funding and to extend tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
The USDA warned Americans of a potential funding lapse earlier this month in an Oct. 10 letter to state agencies that also instructed states to pause sending monthly data about eligible households’ SNAP benefits to its EBT vendor “until further notice.”
Although a since removed shutdown contingency plan on the agency’s website stated the money could be used to pay benefits directly, according to another letter shared with USA TODAY, the USDA says contingency funds are available only “to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated for, but are insufficient to cover, benefits.”
According to Gov. Kathy Hochul, if SNAP benefits are halted, it would be the first time a federal administration has stopped food assistance during a government shutdown in U.S. history.
What to know: SNAP benefits for millions in NY at risk amid federal shutdown. Here’s what to know
Wegmans at 106 Corporate Park Dr. in Harrison, photographed Oct. 7, 2025.
DoorDash partners with Wegmans to waive fees for SNAP recipients
DoorDash customers who have linked their SNAP/EBT card to their profile will receive a $0 delivery and service fee on one order placed at select SNAP-enabled stores in November, including Wegmans, Dollar General, Sprouts, Schnucks, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle and Ahold Delhaize brands.
It’s part of a bigger “Emergency Food Response” initiative by DoorDash, which also includes providing free delivery for the company’s over 300 Project DASH food bank and food pantry partners nationwide.
“No one should go hungry in America — period,” says Max Rettig, Vice President and Global Head of Public Policy at DoorDash. “Millions of families are worried right now about how they’ll put food on the table. Fighting hunger is core to our mission at DoorDash, and we’re stepping up alongside leading grocers and retailers to help bridge the gap. We know this is a stopgap, not a solution. But doing nothing simply isn’t an option.”
You’ll need to use a promo code to redeem the offer but DoorDash says users who have uploaded their SNAP/EBT card as a payment method will automatically see the code in the app while it’s available from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30.
Grocery shopping: Save money with retail memberships at Lower Hudson Valley stores. Where to find them
Gopuff offering $50 credits on SNAP-eligible items in November
Delivery service Gopuff is also extending a helping hand by offering two $25 credits for SNAP-eligible items during the month of November to customers who have a SNAP/EBT card connected to their account or who add their SNAP/EBT card to their account.
The company is committing up to $10 million in total relief “in an effort to help SNAP recipients continue accessing the groceries they need amid this gap in aid.”
“At Gopuff, we’re committed to showing up in the ways that matter most to the people and communities we serve,” the company’s Oct. 27 press release says. “The national relief effort is designed to provide quick, seamless access to groceries for families who will suddenly lose essential food aid.”
To get the credits and free delivery, customers will need to use code SNAPRELIEF1 at checkout between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15 for the first $25 and code SNAPRELIEF2 at checkout between Nov. 16 and Nov. 30 for the second $25.
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: DoorDash partners with Wegmans to help SNAP shoppers save this November
