OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans who receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds will likely see those funds stopped, a spokesman for the Department of Human Services said last week.
With the ongoing shutdown of the federal government, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services was notified by the United States Department of Agriculture that federal funding for SNAP will be suspended beginning Nov. 1.
Currently, more than 684,600 Oklahomans rely on the program to supplement their family’s monthly food purchases.
The plan to stop the benefits has drawn a harsh response from state lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle.
State Rep. Daniel Pae, a Republican from Lawton, said he and fellow Representative Emily Gise, a Republican from Oklahoma City, have been in constant contact with the DHS about the possible cuts.
'We understand how critical SNAP benefits are for Oklahoma families, seniors and children,' Pae said. 'No family should have to worry about putting food on the table because of uncertainty in Washington. The House is committed to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure Oklahoma families have the support they need.'
Last week, Pae and Gise co-hosted an interim study that examined the effectiveness and future of SNAP in Oklahoma. The review focused on ways to reduce the state’s payment error rate and fraud. The study included state agencies, food security advocates and policy experts who discussed how to strengthen access to nutrition assistance and improve outcomes for families across the state.
Gise said many Oklahoma families are “already doing everything they can to stretch each dollar.”
“The threat of losing access to food assistance is deeply unsettling,” she said. “While we continue to push for solutions at the state and federal level, we also know the strength of our communities lies in how we show up for one another. If you’re in a position to give or volunteer, reach out to your local food banks and community organizations. This is a time that calls for compassion and unity, not politics.'
Democrats said Oklahomans were “paying the price of our federal delegation refusing to work together.”
“Over 684,600 Oklahomans – mainly the elderly, veterans, and children – rely on SNAP benefits, and now that burden will be placed on local community resources who are already overwhelmed. This is a direct result of those in Congress not doing the job they were elected to do to serve their constituents and protect the services and jobs on which Oklahomans rely,” House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said. “I urge Oklahomans to take advantage of local community resources as they need. I further urge the federal delegation to consider the consequences that will only continue to worsen the longer this shutdown continues and to do what needs to be done to protect Oklahomans who are just trying to make it by each day.”
Echoing Munson, state Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, said she is concerned for the families who will have to make even more tough decisions this holiday season due to bad choices in Washington D.C.
“In a time where government leaders should be working to end hunger, this move will only make hunger more severe and widespread. People deserve better,” Menz said. “Since the federal government has failed us once again, it is my hope that all of my colleagues work together to meet needs and fund programs at the state level to keep people fed.”
While households receiving SNAP funds can continue using existing funds on their electronic benefits transfer cards until Oct. 31, the ability to use existing funds after that day remains unclear, DHS officials said.
The agency urged households to plan and carefully budget funds for food, adding that SNAP households are encouraged to protect their existing funds from fraud by locking their EBT cards when not in use. The agency said EBT benefits that are electronically stolen will not be refunded.
The federal government shutdown began Oct. 1 after Congress failed to reach a budget agreement for the 2026 fiscal year. This shutdown led to the suspension of many government operations and federally funded programs. This suspension will continue until the federal government reaches a budget resolution.
Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, blamed Democrats for the shutdown.
'It’s deeply frustrating that gridlock in Washington, driven by Senator Chuck Schumer and the majority of Senate Democrats’ unwillingness to act, is putting critical programs like SNAP at risk,' Hilbert said in a media statement. 'Oklahoma families shouldn’t have to pay the price for partisan inaction. The Oklahoma House remains focused on protecting our citizens and ensuring families, seniors and children have access to the support they need, regardless of what happens in D.C.'
Oklahoma lawmakers will return to the state Capitol in February 2026.