New Bill Guarantees SNAP and WIC Funding Through FY2026, Eliminating Benefit Interruptions During Government Lapses

If you’ve ever watched the news as a government funding deadline approaches, you know the drill: Will Congress pass the budget, or will we face a shutdown? For millions of families, this isn't just political drama; it’s a direct threat to their grocery budget, especially for those relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 is designed to pull those two programs out of the political crossfire. Simply put, this bill creates an automatic funding mechanism to ensure SNAP and WIC continue operating without interruption in fiscal year 2026, even if Congress fails to pass the necessary appropriations for the Department of Agriculture on time. If a funding lapse hits, the Secretary of Agriculture is required to pull necessary funds directly from the Treasury to keep benefits flowing and programs running.

Taking Food Off the Shutdown Table

This legislation tackles a major pain point for working families and State agencies alike. Currently, when the government faces a funding gap, essential programs like SNAP and WIC are often forced into a holding pattern, leading to benefit delays or, in the worst cases, outright suspensions. This bill establishes a clear, no-questions-asked mandate: during any funding delay in FY2026, the Secretary must use Treasury funds to provide uninterrupted benefits for both SNAP and WIC. This is a crucial safety net for the families who rely on these funds to feed their kids and put food on the table.

The Retroactive Guarantee: No Missed Meals

One of the most important provisions addresses what happens if a lapse does occur before this bill is enacted. The bill mandates retroactive payments for any missed SNAP or WIC benefits that occurred starting on September 30, 2025. Think of it as an insurance policy: if the political process stalls and benefits are delayed even for a day, the money must be immediately restored once the temporary funding kicks in. This ensures that a family’s monthly budget isn't completely derailed by Washington gridlock.

State Agencies Get Paid Back

It’s not just the recipients who get relief; the State agencies that actually run these programs are covered, too. The bill requires the Secretary to use these special funds to reimburse State agencies for the costs they incur operating SNAP and WIC during the funding lapse. This is key because State agencies often have to scramble to cover operational costs out-of-pocket during federal shutdowns. By guaranteeing reimbursement, the bill reduces the financial pressure on states to keep the lights on and the benefits processed, provided they run the programs according to federal law during the lapse period.

When Does the Safety Net End?

This special funding mechanism is strictly temporary. It remains in effect only until one of two things happens: either Congress finally enacts the regular appropriations bills for the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2026, or September 30, 2026, arrives. Furthermore, the bill ensures proper accounting: any money spent from the Treasury under this Act must later be charged against the specific appropriation once that regular funding measure is finally passed. This isn't a permanent budget fix, but a targeted measure to prevent a humanitarian crisis during a political one, ensuring that the critical safety nets for nutrition stay funded and operational.