Updated 11/7/2025
Hi all,
As the shutdown continues, I wanted to provide another set of updates on program + policy areas that impact many parenting students.
Unfortunately, the headline continues to be - the longer the shutdown continues, the more at risk funding is for many programs. I’m providing federal updates here, but it’s also important to check state resources if you’re wondering how your state is responding to the shutdown and how long they’ll be able to offer various services.
There’s no sugarcoating that loss of nutrition benefits, child care services, and other needs will harm folks who rely on them, but I encourage folks at colleges or direct services organizations to think about how their pantries, emergency aid programs, or community partners can help fill in gaps. Steps to make parenting students aware of resources and able to access them quickly + easily are critical.
I’ve updated all the topics below that I shared out on earlier this month, and added a section on reduction-in-force at the Department of Education related to the Office of Special Education Programs.
Financial Aid:
Financial aid disbursements continue, and borrowers in repayment must continue making payments on their loans.
SNAP:
The US Department of Agriculture has told states there will not be sufficient funds to pay November SNAP benefits. A few states, and I expect/hope for communication from more states in the coming days, have warned they will not be able to pay November benefits if the shutdown continues.
As the Food Research & Action Center has written, if the administration does not find ways to sustain SNAP during the shutdown and it continues into November, benefits will be delayed but expected to be reimbursed later.
SNAP beneficiaries can continue to use their EBT card with funds they have already received.
UPDATE (10/23): In at least one state (Wisconsin), SNAP beneficiaries have been advised that their October benefits may not be available on their card in November. I do not know why this would be the case, but can share more if I learn more. It is especially important to check for state communications if you're advising students on how the shutdown will impact their ability to receive and/or spend current benefits.
Medicaid and Affordable Care Act Coverage:
I do not have any further update from what I shared earlier this month on Medicaid; the headline is, individuals with Medicaid should still be able to seek health care services. A more prolonged shutdown brings more problems, but for now, I would encourage students on Medicaid to know they can continue to seek healthcare services.
Tax credits for Affordable Care Act Coverage continue to be the focus of disagreement and the shutdown. For parenting students and others who rely on marketplace coverage for health insurance, as we approach open enrollment (Nov 1), they will likely see drastic premium increases that will likely result in loss of healthcare coverage for many due to unaffordable premiums.
WIC:
Your local WIC agency continues to be the best place for info on any changes or disruptions to WIC operations and benefits in your community.
Earlier this month, the White House announced it would use tariff revenue to continue to fund WIC. States received emergency funds to keep WIC running through the end of this month. Yesterday, the National WIC Association warned that families could lose benefits Nov 1 if there is not additional emergency funding or an end to the shutdown.
Head Start:
The National Head Start Association and First Five Years Fund have warned that 135 Head Start programs won’t receive funding on Nov 1 if the shutdown continues, with more than 65,000 children across 41 states and Puerto Rico enrolled in those programs.
For those less familiar with Head Start, it provides meals, health screenings, and other services - so for parenting students who rely on the program, closures mean more than losing just child care (which of course, by itself is incredibly difficult).
CCDF/Child Care and Development Block Grant (that help fund state child care subsidies for families)
I do not have any update from what I shared earlier this month on Child Care and Development Fund subsidies, but will share if/when I have more current info.
Department of Education/Reduction in Force for Office of Special Education Programs
The administration on October 10 announced a reduction in force (layoffs) that would impact about 95% of employees in the Office of Special Education programs. Subsequently, the Trump administration announced it would move special education programs out of ED and into Health and Human Services. There’s alot we don’t know yet about how this would work, but parents of children with disabilities may be rightfully anxious about their children continuing to receive services funded through the Dept of Ed. I’m attaching an explainer from the National Down Syndrome Congress for more info/awareness for folks working with parenting students who have children with disabilities.
I know the shutdown may affect some of you and your communities in other ways too - please know we are thinking of you.
Thanks,
Stephanie
Hi all,
As the federal govt shutdown continues, I wanted to share a few more updates with this group. There's many program areas that can affect parenting students, and since I can't cover everything here, the headline continues to be to check in your state to understand how your state is responding as you have questions on specific programs. But wanted to at least provide an update on SNAP and on two areas I haven't shared resource yet - housing & energy assistance programs, plus a helpful tool on Head Start programs.
Please know our team is thinking of you, your students, & community members affected by the shutdown. This is truly awful. Anything and everything you or your colleges are doing to ease the burden on students and their families through emergency aid, food & other supplies, or connecting students to community resources is meaningful. I sincerely hope our federal lawmakers can do their part soon too and distribute critical funding for our communities.
SNAP:
As many have probably seen, there's been continued developments in the November SNAP benefits situation (and at the same time not enough developments at all). Yesterday, a judge ruled that the administration must fully fund SNAP payments by today. The administration is appealing the decision. Of course, we're already a week into November and the delays have real impacts on the 30 percent of parenting students (and their families) that rely on SNAP.
If you haven't already, check out The Hope Center's guide on supporting students through the shutdown. It also begins with a helpful summary of where we are now with the timeline of SNAP benefits not being paid on Nov 1 + court and administration actions since.
Housing programs:
On our last call, folks had also asked about housing assistance and the shutdown. I'm sharing this resource from the National Law Housing Project, which I found a helpful overview. The linked resource touches on several housing programs as well as tenants' rights around not receiving a rent increase or eviction notice because of the shutdown. Most of it pertains to November, I don't have the expertise to share what would happen beyond that if the shutdown continues - but happy to share out more/updated resources as they become available if that happens.
LIHEAP:
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps many low income households pay heating + cooling costs. Around this time of year, Health and Human Services would be sending most LIHEAP funding to states. That hasn't happened because of the shutdown, and some states have announced delaying the start of their LIHEAP season to December. Others are using funds left over from last season to fund the programs, or using state funding in the interim. NPR has a helpful article on this from yesterday.
Head Start:
The National Head Start Association has info on how the shutdown impacts Head Starts by state, plus a list of confirmed closures -this might be helpful if you're wondering about parents on your campus/in your state that could be impacted by local Head Start closures.
I know this is all hard to keep up with (at least it is for me!) so if you have questions on a different area - happy to connect and see if our team has any partners that could offer expertise or resources.
Thanks,
Stephanie