The South Dakota Democratic Party is urging state and federal leaders to end the federal government shutdown and to quickly to restore SNAP payments “before more families suffer.”
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program– or SNAP– benefits for October were distributed, but earlier this month (Oct. 10, 2025), the U.S. Department of Agriculture told states to hold off on processing payments for November.
Dan Ahlers, Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, says the SNAP freeze will hit rural communities and low-wage employees– such as grocery store clerks, healthcare aides, and other essential workers– especially hard. He says the SNAP freeze prevents people from participating in local economies and impacts the small businesses in our communities who provide food– which will ultimately impact everyone.
In South Dakota, SNAP benefits are distributed through the state Department of Social Services.
“Let’s be clear — this crisis is entirely preventable,” said Ahlers. “While Democrats are fighting to protect working families and keep costs down, Republicans in Congress are holding the country hostage to protect tax breaks for their wealthiest donors. It’s immoral to use hungry families as bargaining chips.”
“South Dakotans know what hard work looks like— and they deserve a government that works just as hard for them,” Ahlers continued. “Democrats are ready to fund the government, pay our soldiers, and keep food on the table for working families. Republicans need to stop playing political games and do their jobs.”
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