SNAP benefits gone? How to get free or discounted groceries

Tens of millions of Americans – most being families with children – may be forced to choose between buying food and paying other bills when the federal funding for SNAP benefits runs dry come November due to the government shutdown. 

Several food delivery services are offering assistance in the coming weeks to help those families get groceries. 

Here are some options: 

Instacart SNAP benefits

Big picture view:

Instacart said Friday it will offer customers who receive SNAP benefits 50% on their next grocery order.

Instacart said any customer who placed an order in October using a SNAP/EBT card will be eligible for the discount, which will be available even if the government makes the payments as planned on Nov. 1. 

The San Francisco-based grocery delivery company said it will also triple its usual donations to more than 300 food banks.

What they're saying:

"As SNAP funding faces unprecedented disruption and food banks brace for longer lines, we’re focused on practical, immediate solutions: helping families who use SNAP stretch their grocery dollars and helping food banks stock up to support their communities," said Dani Dudeck, Instacart’s chief corporate affairs officer.

DoorDash SNAP assistance

Big picture view:

DoorDash has launched an emergency food response to help those impacted by the lapse in SNAP benefits. 

By the numbers:

DoorDash will deliver 1 million free meals through food banks and waive fees on grocery orders for an estimated 300,000 SNAP recipients. 

How it works:

DoorDash is waiving merchant fees for all 300+ Project DASH partner food banks, food pantries, and community organizations nationwide throughout November, equal to an estimated 1 million meals.

Customers who have a valid SNAP/EBT card to their DoorDash account will receive $0 delivery fee and $0 service fee on one order placed at select SNAP-enabled stores on DoorDash:

• Sprouts
• Dollar General
• Schnucks
• Food Lion
• Giant Foods
• The GIANT Company
• Hannaford
• Stop & Shop
• Hy-Vee
• Giant Eagle
• Wegmans

Offer valid from 11/01/25 through 11/30/25. Eligible customers will need to use promo code SNAPDD to redeem. Limit one per person. This offer is not valid for orders containing alcohol. 

READ MORE: DoorDash offers free services for SNAP recipients amid government shutdown

GoPuff SNAP assistance

By the numbers:

GoPuff is donating up to $10 million in free groceries to hundreds of thousands of SNAP recipients by way of a $50 credit for groceries.  

How it works:

The credit will be broken into two during the month of November. To redeem, add your SNAP/EBT card to a Gopuff account and add eligible groceries to your cart. 

• From November 1-15, 2025: Use code SNAPRELIEF1 at checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and FREE delivery.
• From November 16-30, 2025: Use code SNAPRELIEF2 at checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and FREE delivery.

The credit will be available to the first 200,000 users each time period. 

Zip Co. SNAP benefits

Zip Co., a "buy now, pay later" app that lets users set up installment plans to pay for purchases, said Friday it will offer temporary, no-fee installment payment options for SNAP recipients who need help buying groceries if the government doesn't make payments on Nov. 1. Eligible customers need to fill out a form in the Zip app, the company said.

Zip, which is based in Australia, said it was partnering with Forage, a company that processes government payments for retailers. Zip said it has 4.25 million active users, but it wouldn't say how many are SNAP recipients.

Local food bank SNAP assistance

Local perspective:

Many foodbanks have been calling for extra food or monetary donations ahead of the expected lapse in SNAP coverage for families in the area. 

Check your local food bank for pick-up or delivery details. Find your local food bank here via Feeding America. 

Local restaurants SNAP assistance

Local perspective:

Some restaurants in your area may also be offering free meals. Restaurant Business Magazine reported a few options around the country that were already promising free meals for kids. 

Companies respond to government shutdown

The backstory:

The moves by these companies come as the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown.

This means about 40 million people could see food assistance disappear next month if the shutdown continues. 

Some states have also stopped approving new applications for SNAP. 

The government has been shut down since Oct. 1. Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.

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