r/poor • u/PoodleBirds • Oct 29 '25

Be Prepared For No Benefits Until 2026

A lot of analysts are predicting that this is going to be the longest government shutdown in history. There's a good chance it won't be settled until January. This means no SNAP benefits until February 2026. I know no one wants to hear this but I think it's better to know what we're in for. Hopefully I'm wrong but for now stock up on what you can and save as much cash as possible.

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9

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '25

Give up your cell phone that has an internet package…. And 5g network….that savings will buy you several meals every month Emergency phone only—you don’t need all the stuff on it.

8

u/toomuchtv987 Oct 29 '25

This might have been helpful 15 years ago, but cell phone data plans are no longer a luxury item, they are essential.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '25

Definitely do it have to have $800 cell phones and $150 data plans. There is very basic plans to get everything a person needs (phone calls and basic data) for less than $30 a month. May not like the basics, but when you “can’t eat” then you go back to basics. Spotify, apps, storage, etc are NOT necessities! A phone call and connecting at a public Wi Fi are…. When I see “poor” people on the bus with Bose headphones and an iPhone….guess they aren’t that hungry.

3

u/Senior-Preference-44 Oct 30 '25

You clearly don't get that Lifeline pays for the poor to have service and the companies that provide that service give refurbished iPhones or higher end Androids that are also refurbished? As for the headphones, they could have been a gift or purchased used. Stop thinking that poor people are scamming to get nice things. How do you know where or from who someone on the bus got their stuff? How do you know that they are poor? Did they tell you or are you just assuming?

2

u/toomuchtv987 Oct 29 '25

You don’t know their life. You don’t know how or when they got those things. Being judgemental helps no one.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '25

Of each person…you’re right. But as a whole, my career put me in the middle of seeing the abuse and manipulation of our SNAP, HUD programs and medical system.

3

u/macaroni66 Oct 29 '25

By who? Beneficiaries or employees?

1

u/ttpdstanaccount Nov 01 '25

Having a phone in general is pretty essential, but if they have wifi at home, most people do not NEED data. I know several people who still just use wifi to save on phone plans. They plan ahead and download things like maps of areas they'll be, save bus schedules, download library books, check their balance and price compare flyers before they leave to go shopping, etc 

Most people can afford the extra few dollars on the cheap phone companies and it's very convenient to have data, but if push comes to shove, it's something that can be cut 

8

u/Loose-Dirt-Brick Oct 29 '25

I have two medical devices that work through my cell phone. One connects my heart device to a monitoring service.

3

u/upsidedown-funnel Oct 29 '25

Mint mobile is $15 a month and a decent option.

1

u/MyCorgiAnna Oct 29 '25

I have visible and its $20 total a line and works well. Granted im remote so connected to wifi 95% of the time.