The Crisis: SNAP Benefits Disrupted
When the U.S. federal government shutdown began in late 2025, the food assistance program Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was one of the hardest‑hit. According to one summary:
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On Nov. 1, the United States Department of Agriculture announced that SNAP payments would be halted for thousands of families due to the funding lapse. Wikipedia+1
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Hunger relief organisations warned that nearly 3 million people could fall into poverty due to interrupted food aid. AP News
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Food‑banks across the U.S. braced for a surge in demand, highlighting that SNAP provides nine times the number of meals that food pantries do. AP News
In short: a safety net faltered, and many low‑income families found themselves without their usual monthly benefits for groceries and essentials.
How GiveDirectly Stepped In
GiveDirectly moved quickly to fill part of the gap through a partnership with Propel, a tech‑platform used by millions of SNAP recipients. Key elements of the response:
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Families that missed their scheduled SNAP deposit and received the maximum benefit allotment (an indicator of very low income) were targeted.
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Each eligible household was offered a one‑time payment of $50 via virtual card through the Propel app, to help bridge the period without their regular benefits.
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As of mid‑November 2025, GiveDirectly reported that they had paid tens of thousands of such families—over 209,965 families in one update.
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The charity clarified that this emergency cash aid is not a replacement for SNAP, but a stop‑gap measure until benefits resume normally.
Why This Approach Matters
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Speed and flexibility: Cash transfers via digital means can arrive quickly, giving families immediate purchasing power for food, transport to markets, or other urgent needs. According to GiveDirectly, the model enables families to spend “however they think is best for themselves and their families.”
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Targeting high‑need households: By using the Propel app data and focusing on large households receiving maximum SNAP allotments, the initiative zooms in on those most vulnerable.
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Dignity and choice: Unlike food‑boxes or commodity distributions, unconditional cash preserves recipient choice—what they buy, when, and how.
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Evidence‑backed model: GiveDirectly’s U.S. operations note that since 2017 they have delivered over $300 million in unconditional cash transfers to more than 227,000 low‑income Americans across 51 states and territories.
Real‑Life Impact
One recipient, “Selene”, a mother of four in Florida, shared:
“I knew I wouldn’t be eating because all the food needed to go to the kids… By the last week of [October], we had very, very little… I didn’t pay some bills this month because the food stamps were gone—I’m eating their scraps.”
After receiving the $50 transfer she said: “Now I have food for at least a week. My kids are eating, and that’s all that matters to me.”
Limitations & The Bigger Picture
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The $50 transfer is modest compared to a full SNAP allotment—it covers only a portion of what many households need for the month.
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Not all states or households are covered—eligibility depends on data availability, state participation, and whether those states are already providing emergency support.
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Many experts emphasise that while charitable initiatives help, they cannot fully replace the scale and stability of SNAP. As noted: “Very little safety net is left once you take away SNAP.”
Looking Ahead
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Families still waiting for their full SNAP benefits continue to be monitored for relief opportunities via GiveDirectly and Propel.
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The model of tech‑enabled cash assistance during a federal shutdown could serve as a blueprint for future crises—where benefit disruptions occur and speed is essential.
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Policymakers and charitable organisations alike are watching how these cash experiments in the U.S. inform broader debates about universal basic income, child allowances, and social safety net reforms.
Conclusion
In the midst of the 2025 U.S. government shutdown‑induced crisis, GiveDirectly’s emergency cash‑transfer initiative has provided a lifeline for many families hit by delayed SNAP benefits. While not a complete solution, the program illustrates how rapid, targeted cash aid can cushion the blow of public‑benefit interruptions, preserve dignity for recipients, and offer proof of concept for flexible social support in turbulent times.