On Friday evening, Governor Murphy declared a State of Emergency due to the federal suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits because of the federal shutdown. Executive Order 402 was issued to coordinate a statewide response to ensure that vulnerable residents have access to food.
While new federal funds were not made available on November 1, 2025, SNAP recipients will be able to access any funds in their account that have carried over from October 2025 or previous months. SNAP recipients who routinely receive a State benefit will continue to receive that limited amount.
More than 800,000 New Jerseyans rely on SNAP to meet their basic nutritional needs. Of the 800,000, almost half are children, one in three are individuals with a disability, and one in five are over the age of 60 years.
This situation continues to change, so SNAP food assistance recipients should check their accounts at NJFamiliesFirst.com; call 800-997-3333; and visit njsnap.gov for updates on their benefits status.
A number of pantries offer fresh produce in addition to stable, non-perishable foods, shopping appointments, and information about additional services. Residents are encouraged to locate food pantries and community kitchens via NJ211.org. Funding for food pantries in the FY26 budget has been accelerated due to the shutdown.
In addition, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 401, establishing the Task Force on the Federal Suspension of SNAP Benefits. The Task Force will be responsible for coordinating New Jersey’s response to the acute food insecurity crisis.
On Monday afternoon, the Trump Administration announced that it would fund benefits at about half of the usual monthly amount for existing SNAP recipients. The ongoing government shutdown precludes new applicants.
We encourage you to share this information with your community groups, and we will update as details warrant.
Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.