Shutdown Survival Guide: Who’s Still Getting Paid in November?

As the government shutdown stretches into its second month — now the second-longest in U.S. history — millions of Americans are wondering what happens to their benefits in November. Some programs are still operating normally, while others are on the verge of running out of funds if Congress doesn’t reach a deal soon.

Here’s what’s known so far about what people can expect to receive in government aid in November, based on official statements from federal agencies and the latest reputable reporting available. 

Government Program Status Summary

The following table offers a quick glance of program status. Continue reading on to get more details.

Program	Status (as of October 24, 2025)
Social Security, SSI, SSDI	✅ Continuing
Medicare & Medicaid	✅ Continuing
VA Benefits	✅ Continuing
Federal Student Aid (Pell Grants & Loans)	✅ Continuing
Section 8 & HUD Housing Programs	✅ Continuing (for now)
Child Support Enforcement (Title IV-D)	✅ Continuing
School Meals (National School Lunch Program)	✅ Continuing (monitor for delays)
SNAP (Food Stamps)	⚠️ At Risk
WIC (Women, Infants & Children)	⚠️ At Risk
LIHEAP (Heating Assistance)	⚠️ At Risk
TANF (Cash Assistance)	🕒 State-Dependent
CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund)	🕒 State-Dependent
Head Start	🕒 Possible Interruptions

Continuing as Usual

These programs are funded outside the annual budget process or have secure contingency funding.

• Social Security, SSI, and SSDI: Social Security, SSI, and SSDI payments will continue without interruption. These programs are funded through a trust fund, not the annual federal budget process that’s affected by the shutdown. That means retirees, people with disabilities, etc. will receive their checks on schedule. Local offices will remain open to the public but will provide reduced services.
• Medicare and Medicaid: If you rely on Medicare or Medicaid, your health coverage is still active. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has contingency plans in place and is continuing to pay claims. People enrolling or renewing coverage during open enrollment should expect business as usual, though call center wait times may be longer.
• VA Benefits: Veterans’ healthcare, disability compensation, and pensions remain funded. The Department of Veterans Affairs has stated that core benefits are protected, even though some administrative services may be slower.
• Federal Student Aid: Pell Grants and student loan disbursements are continuing. Borrowers must still make regular payments.
• Section 8 and HUD Housing Programs: Section 8 vouchers, public housing operations, and rental assistance contracts are still being paid for now. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is using previously approved funds to keep payments flowing through November. If the shutdown continues into December, that could change.
• Child Support Enforcement (Title IV-D): Still operating, though processing may slow if coordination between state and federal offices is delayed.
• School Meals (National School Lunch Program): The National School Lunch Program and other child nutrition programs are still serving meals. Schools and childcare centers can continue operations for now, but if the shutdown drags on, reimbursement payments to states could be delayed.

At Risk in November

These programs rely on yearly congressional funding and may face disruptions soon.

• SNAP (Food Stamps): This is where things get serious. Without additional funding from Congress, SNAP recipients may face delays or partial payments in November. In the latest reporting, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which represents over 1,400 cities, sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use emergency funds to cover November SNAP benefits. The USDA currently has about $5 billion in contingency funds, but that only covers roughly 60% of one month’s benefits nationwide.
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): Nearly 7 million women and children rely on WIC for formula, baby food, and healthy groceries. WIC is warning that millions of families could lose access to their WIC benefits as early as November 1 unless the Trump Administration provides an additional $300 million. 
• LIHEAP (Heating Assistance): As temperatures drop, LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, helps families pay heating bills. Because new funds can’t be released during the shutdown, only states with leftover money or emergency funds can keep the program going. Expect limited or delayed assistance until Congress passes a funding bill.

Possibly Interrupted or State-Dependent

These programs vary by state or may depend on when specific grants renew.

• The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program: Because TANF is funded through state block grants, payments can continue temporarily, but each state’s funding situation is different. Some, like Ohio, have confirmed that TANF checks will go out in November, even as food aid stalls. Others are warning that they can’t hold out much longer.
• The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF): There may be an impact on childcare programs. While states can use carryover funds, those reserves are limited and may not cover payments for long if the shutdown continues. Because the program is managed at the state level, the impact will vary by state: some may be able to keep funding child care temporarily, while others could face interruptions sooner. Also, new grants are being paused. 
• Head Start: Funding interruptions are possible for programs whose grants renew during the shutdown. Some centres may need emergency or local funding to stay open.

How to Prepare if Benefits Are Delayed

If your benefits are at risk, you don’t have to face it alone. Here are some resources that can help bridge the gap:

• Call 211 or visit 211.org for food, rent, and utility assistance in your area.
• Visit local food banks through Feeding America’s locator tool. (Food banks will keep getting government-supplied groceries for now, but deliveries could slow down or stop if the shutdown goes on too long.)
• Check your state’s SNAP or WIC agency website for updates about November issuance.
• Ask about hardship extensions or deferrals for rent, utilities, or loans — many providers offer temporary relief during shutdowns.
• Stay informed through official sites only — avoid relying on social media posts for payment dates or eligibility updates.

Relief Recap

Programs with dedicated trust funds (like Social Security and Medicare) are safe, but those that depend on yearly congressional funding — like SNAP, WIC, and LIHEAP — are in danger of running out of money. City leaders are sounding the alarm. As the U.S. Conference of Mayors wrote in its letter to the USDA: “SNAP is not only a federal nutrition program—it is a critical local economic stabilizer.”