SNAP benefits to end for Oklahomans Nov. 1 if shutdown continues

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — As the federal government shutdown drags on with no resolution in sight, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) says thousands of Oklahomans who rely on SNAP to afford food will lose their benefits starting Nov. 1.

The shutdown has left Oklahoma’s congressional delegation offering blame—without willingness to compromise—while local organizations scramble to fill the gap and keep people fed.

Congress remains at a standstill, with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson keeping the House closed and the U.S. Senate unable to reach a funding agreement.

News 4 reached out to every member of Oklahoma City’s congressional delegation on Tuesday.

Offices for Congresswoman Stephanie Bice and Congressman Tom Cole did not respond.

Senators Markwayne Mullin and James Lankford’s offices both sent statements blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

Neither mentioned any compromise or plan they’d be willing to support to win the Democratic votes they will need to end the shutdown.

“This is unacceptable,” a News 4 viewer told News 4 in a voicemail after receiving a notice from OKDHS Tuesday informing them their SNAP benefits will pause on Nov. 1 because of the shutdown. “It is absurd. It is cruel… The supplemental nutrition is not necessarily supplemental to some. It is primary to many,” the viewer said. “This is disgraceful, and our representatives and senators need to get with the program, open back up the government.”

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma estimates as many as 700,000 Oklahomans could lose access to food if SNAP benefits are cut.

On Tuesday, the food bank said it is working to gather as much food as it can to ensure nobody goes hungry because of the shutdown.

In a statement, the food bank said, “Now more than ever, we must come together to support our communities and ensure that no one goes without food.”

The 21 days of shutdown so far have been especially hard for the thousands of federal employees at Tinker Air Force Base.

“They’re not getting paid,” said Joshua Schultz, Executive Director of the Del City Chamber of Commerce. “They may even be furloughed and not be able to work.”

Schultz said the shutdown, and other Trump administration cuts to staff at Tinker earlier this year, have had a noticeable effect on the local economy.

“Our sales tax is down a little bit compared to last year,” Schultz said. “They’re not able to pay their bills. They’re not able to pay their car payment. They’re not able to maybe go to the grocery store.”

For some Tinker employees going without pay, he said SNAP was their last lifeline.

“And we want to make sure that they have access to food if they need it,” Schultz said.

The Del City chamber is opening a food pantry at Tinker.

Donations can be dropped off at the chamber’s office at 4505 SE 15th St, Del City, OK 73115 during weekday operating hours.