Kansans could soon lose SNAP benefits due to ongoing government shutdown

TOPEKA (KSNT) — One Kansas organization is sending a strong warning to the Sunflower State, as it could soon be at risk of losing SNAP benefits.

Kansas Appleseed, a non-partisan Kansas organization, tells us that starting on Nov. 1, two big factors could cause hundreds of thousands of Kansans to lose SNAP benefits.

Currently, there are about 187,000 Kansans who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. However, starting in November, the government shutdown could temporarily stop these services.

Additionally, new work requirements for SNAP recipients will take effect on Nov. 1. This will extend work requirements to children as young as 14, and adults as old as 64, meaning an estimated 8,000 Kansans will no longer be eligible for SNAP. These new work requirements are part of President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," which was signed into law in July.

We spoke with Haley Kottler, the Campaign Director with Kansas Appleseed. She tells us, these changes could be detrimental to Kansas families.

"We're very worried that this will impact families in a number of different ways," Kottler said. "One of course is that they will not be able to put food on the table for themselves and their families. Families may be able to move money around to pay for food but that may be dipping into their rent, their electric bill, their car payment. We're very concerned with this happening."

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