How the US Government Shutdown is Affecting Lives: A Deep Dive

Thu Oct 30 2025 22:48:24 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

With the US government shutdown now in its fifth week, explore the impact on millions of Americans—particularly those relying on essential services like food assistance and military pay.

As the US government shutdown stretches into its fifth week with no resolution in sight, over 40 million Americans relying on food assistance programs like SNAP are at risk of losing benefits, while more than a million military personnel may miss paychecks. The situation is dire for federal employees and families depending on heating assistance as winter approaches, highlighting the shutdown's widening economic effects across the nation.

Five ways US shutdown is hurting - and why it's about to get worse

The US government shutdown has entered its fifth week and there is no clear end in sight.

With Democrats and Republicans deadlocked over passing a spending plan that would reopen federal agencies, millions of Americans are feeling economic pain that could soon grow worse. The fiscal fight means millions of Americans may not receive food aid, thousands of troops could have to work without pay, and millions may go without heat.

Here’s how the shutdown has affected everyday people.

Food assistance

More than 40 million Americans use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to feed themselves and their families. While that programme had enough funding to survive the first four weeks of the shutdown, it is set to run out on November 1. This could mark the first time SNAP benefits lapse in history, leaving those dependent on it vulnerable.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency, highlighting the critical situation as the program supports three million New Yorkers. As the impasse continues, families have begun stockpiling food and relying on food banks.

Military pay

Over a million US military personnel might miss their paychecks unless intervention occurs. One quarter of military families face food insecurity, making this a pressing concern. The Pentagon has attempted to mitigate the impact by sourcing funds, but a substantial $130 million donation only translates to minimal assistance for those affected.

Heat amid the winter chill

Around six million Americans depend on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for their utility bills. Federal assistance typically arrives mid-November, and with the winter chill already setting in, there's potential for dangerous conditions if this assistance does not resume.

Federal civilian workers

Thousands of federal workers are missing paychecks this week, and as the shutdown persists, nearly 4.5 million paychecks may go unpaid by December, accumulating significant financial stress.

Air traffic controllers

Essential air traffic controllers are mustering through the shutdown without pay, leading to numerous flight delays and safety concerns as they express the need for supplementary jobs just to make ends meet.

The consequences of this ongoing shutdown extend far beyond governmental operations; they ripple into the lives of ordinary citizens, affecting their basic needs and stability.