In recent days the question “Is Walmart closing November 1st due to SNAP benefits” has appeared on social media and among concerned shoppers. As of today, there is no verified one-nation announcement that Walmart will close all its stores on November 1 because of changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
What we do know about SNAP and benefit timing
• SNAP is fully federally funded, and the current federal funding lapse means many states warn that November benefit issuance may be delayed, suspended or reduced.
• Some states have issued notices indicating they cannot load SNAP benefits for November until they receive federal funds and guidance.
• These disruptions concern money being credited to recipients’ EBT cards — they do not inherently mean retailer closures.
Why the confusion about Walmart closing?
• Because SNAP delays will reduce purchasing power for millions of Americans, there is speculation that large retailers like Walmart might temporarily reduce operations or see foot-traffic drop sharply.
• Viral posts have claimed mass looting or store closures at Walmart tied to SNAP disruptions; these remain unverified.
• A few isolated Walmart store closures have been noted, but none announced as directly caused by SNAP benefit issues.
Walmart’s actual status
• Walmart remains operational nationwide: there’s no credible nationwide shutdown of its stores on or around November 1 attributed to SNAP benefit changes.
• One specific store in Federal Way, Washington is scheduled for closure on October 31; this is unrelated to SNAP distribution.
• There is no announcement from Walmart linking broader store closures to SNAP or benefit funding issues.
What this means for shoppers and SNAP recipients at Walmart
• If you rely on SNAP benefits at Walmart: you may face delayed or missing benefits in November depending on your state, but you can still shop at Walmart so long as your EBT card has funds.
• If you plan to use SNAP at Walmart after November 1: monitor your state’s SNAP agency for alerts on benefit loading, and check your EBT balance before checking out.
• Walmart shoppers in general: While Walmart isn’t closing in response to SNAP changes, any reduction in SNAP purchasing may influence product availability, stocking patterns or store traffic — so be prepared.
Key summary: The short answer
Walmart is not closing on November 1 because of SNAP benefits. But the SNAP program faces serious funding uncertainty, and if benefits aren’t distributed as normal in November, the ripple effects may impact retailers and shoppers alike.
We’d love to hear from you: if you’re a SNAP recipient or use Walmart and notice changes in November, drop a comment below with your state and experience — your insights may help others stay informed.