Send emergency cash to families at risk of hunger due to the U.S. government shutdown
1 in 8 Americans depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, to feed their families. Starting November 1, SNAP benefits will stop due to the government shutdown, cutting off a vital lifeline with no clear restart date for millions.
Without this assistance, vulnerable families will face impossible choices – turning to already strained food banks, skipping meals, or running out of food entirely.
Your donation will go directly to the poorest families as soon as they miss a SNAP payment
Propel, an app used by millions of SNAP households to manage their benefits, and GiveDirectly have partnered to respond to this crisis. Together, we can quickly identify the families most affected and send funds directly to them—securely and immediately.
Propel’s data reveals the human toll of a SNAP delay:
- An estimated 4.1 million users will miss their SNAP deposits on November 1, and that number will continue to grow daily
- Half already have less than $10 remaining in their benefit accounts
- Many report they will need to skip meals or turn to food pantries if benefits don’t arrive on time
One parent told us: “It wouldn’t bother me if it was just me, but I have children that need to eat. It terrifies me that they might go hungry because of the shutdown.”
Beginning November 1, GiveDirectly & Propel will distribute one-time $50 cash transfers to households with children who receive the maximum SNAP allotment, a key indicator of extremely low income. Each day, we’ll send funds through the Propel app to families as they miss their expected SNAP deposits.
Even a single day without food assistance can mean more stress and hunger for families. Your support ensures we can send fast, flexible cash to help fill the gap for families who have suddenly lost the assistance they depend on to survive.
Your donation uses a trusted model to reach those in need quickly and remotely
This approach works. When disasters struck in the past, GiveDirectly and Propel proved this model delivers results:
- After the Los Angeles wildfires and Hurricanes Helene and Milton, eligible users were notified and enrolled directly through the app.
- Families received relief payments within two days of enrolling.
That same speed and trust will allow us to help families keep food on the table in this moment of uncertainty.
Thanks to a $1 million commitment from Propel, we are able to start sending payments as soon as families miss their next SNAP payments on November 1.
With your support, we’ll send emergency cash directly to the lowest income families across the country, delivering cash daily as they lose access to food benefits. The more we can raise, the more days we can cover families who missed their SNAP payments.
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