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The federal government shut down on October 1 and reopened on November 12. Full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits resumed November 14, providing vital support to thousands of Central Texans who rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families.

Even with benefits restored, many neighbors will continue to feel the ripple effects of the gap in SNAP services. United Way for Greater Austin stands ready to connect families to immediate food relief or help them apply for SNAP to ensure long-term stability.

This is a developing list of information, resources, and ways you can support families affected. Please check back for ongoing updates.

What We Know Now

• SNAP benefits resumed in full November 14.
• SNAP participants who receive benefits on or after the 14th of the month will receive their full benefits on their normal issuance date.
• SNAP participants who already received partial benefits will receive the rest of their monthly amount on or after November 14.
• Many Central Texans were struggling to put food on the table before the federal shutdown. Last year, our Navigation Center received more than 30,000 requests for food – our community’s top need.

Resources

211 and ConnectCTX

• Call 2-1-1 (option 1), our 24/7 helpline, for information on food distributions, utilities, financial support, health care, transportation, child care, support applying for SNAP and more. Our trained Navigation Specialists are ready to connect you to resources you need.
• Our ConnectCTX referral database closes the loop and connects our neighbors to long-term support tools. Call 833-512-CATX (2289) Monday-Friday, 8am – 6pm or chat online with a Navigation Specialist. After 6pm, call 2-1-1 (option 1) or visit 211texas.org for support.

Food Access

• Central Texas Food Bank 
  • Check out their Mobile Food Pantry Calendar here.
  • For emergency distribution updates, call 512-684-2559.
• Sustainable Food Center (SFC)
  • SFC Farmers’ Markets remain open every Saturday from 9 am – 1 pm. For locations and market details, visit SFC Farmers’ Markets.
• Hope Food Pantry Austin
  • Food distributions Thursday-Saturday of each week from 9 am – 1 pm through December, excluding November 22.

How many families rely on SNAP?

• In Central Texas, more than 160,000 individuals are eligible for SNAP. This includes more than 25,000 children under 5 and more than 15,000 individuals over 65.
• Many families who rely on SNAP are Asset-Limited, Income-Strained, and Employed (ALICE) – earning above the Federal Poverty Level yet struggling to afford basic expenses.

The Financial Impact 

• In August 2025 alone, Central Texas families received more than $28 million in SNAP benefits – dollars that not only feed families, but also fuel our local economy, generating an estimated $42 million in community impact.

Policy and Benefits Updates

• For official updates about SNAP, WIC, and other public benefit programs affected by the federal shutdown, visit the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) website.
• For statewide information, visit the Feeding Texas Government Shutdown page. This includes updates from Texas HHSC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), along with resources, data, and communication tools to help partners and the public stay informed.

How to Stay Updated

• Visit Your Texas Benefits for official HHSC announcements.
• Call 2-1-1 (option 2) for benefit questions or to report food loss. 
• If you’re experiencing a delay in benefits, contact your local food bank for temporary support.

Donate

Together, we can keep our neighbors connected to the support they need.

Volunteer 

Community support is essential to meeting increased food needs during the federal shutdown. If you’re able to give your time, please consider supporting our local food partners.

Current Opportunities: 

• Hill Country Community Ministries
• Buda United Methodist Church
  • Weekday Food Sorting  Tuesdays & Fridays | 2 –4 pm – Help sort, organize, and package food for our neighbors in need.
  • Saturday Food Distribution Saturdays | 9 am – 12 pm – Be part of the team that directly serves families with food and hospitality.

How United Way Helps

• Food Security
  • We build food capacity with trusted partners across our region.
• Resource Support
  • We offer immediate guidance and support to meet our community’s challenges through 2-1-1 and ConnectCTX. 
• Advocacy
  • We rally around equity and opportunity, amplifying the voices of those most impacted by economic barriers.

Add a resource to our database

If your organization is adding, expanding, or modifying services (e.g., food distributions, eligibility changes), please share updates through this form so we can keep community resources up-to-date.

Questions

For questions regarding our ongoing response to the basic needs of our Central Texas neighbors, please contact Amy Price, Chief Family Stability Officer, at amy.price@uwatx.org. For questions regarding financially supporting our Central Texas families, volunteer opportunities, or communication questions, contact Missy Strittmatter, Chief Development and Marketing Officer, at missy.strittmatter@uwatx.org. 

We are here, and we will move forward together—United Is The Way.