Government Shutdown

Federal funding for the centers ran out Nov. 1.

They're feeling the effects of SNAP benefit cuts and the increasing cost of health insurance.

With Affordable Care Act tax credits scheduled to expire at the end of year, thousands of Floridians will face paying significantly more for health insurance.

Pell Grants and federal student loans will still be processed. However, the speed of new FAFSA applications may slow down due to staff furloughs at the Department of Education and the Federal Student Aid program, one expert explained to WLRN.

This week on "The Florida Roundup," we talk about the impact the federal government shutdown is having on Floridians, changes to the ACA as open enrollment begins and more.

There are food banks and pantries throughout the state, including mobile pantries for those unable to travel. And many financial institutions offer emergency assistance services and free financial counseling.

The measure — the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 (H.R. 5822) — would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, operations throughout any lapse in government funding.

Nearly 3 million Floridians receive SNAP benefits. But access is set to pause on Saturday.

The Weston congresswoman said 200,000 people in her district would be affected if no deal can be made for extending tax credits, which expire at the end of December.

In Tallahassee, a Head Start program has been running on “fumes," and a Lake City-based organization that runs eight centers has enough funding to keep its doors open only until the end of November.

The federal government is not updating labor market and employment information during the shutdown, leaving the state’s jobless rate of 3.8 percent on hold.

Around 50 people joined a town hall in Central Florida led by Democratic congressman Maxwell Frost on Thursday to talk about their concerns regarding a federal shutdown.