What The Government Shutdown Means For Walmart Customers In Oklahoma

A new rumor has been circulating online about Walmart. People are wondering if they will be able to do their shopping at Walmart on November 1 - with or without SNAP benefits.

Grocery shoppers all over the country, including here in Oklahoma, have been asking if Walmart will really be closing their doors on November 1. According to a circulating rumor, Walmart was supposedly only allowing pick-up and delivery shopping this Saturday.

Luckily, the rumor has been proven to be false. However, the government shutdown will still have a major effect on everyone - even a massive chain store like Walmart.

Walmart in Lawton will still allow indoor shopping on Saturday, November 1.

Despite what people have been told online, no Walmart locations in Lawton, or anywhere in Oklahoma, will be closing their doors this Saturday.

@tinafromwi the rumor about Walmart closing doors on Nov 1st is false! I should know. I work there. #walmart #rumorisfalse #walmartaintclosingtheirdoors ♬ original sound - cupckequeen34

Shoppers will still be allowed to come in and pick out their own groceries, even if they do not use food stamps. Walmart spokesperson, Joe Pennington, told Snopes that they will remain open.

Even if they will be open, however, Walmart may still have a hard time in November.

SNAP suspension is expected to hit Walmart hard next month.

Food stamps are widely accepted all over Oklahoma, but research shows a lot of SNAP shoppers opt to spend their money in Walmart. Market research datafirm Numerator reported that 24% of SNAP shoppers use their benefits in Walmart.

While shoppers who had leftover balances on their EBT card from previous months should still be able to use their remaining funds to shop on November 1, billions of dollars in benefits will not be going out. Which means Walmart will not be seeing the same stream of income that they normally do.

However, local Walmarts have still come together to help families who have been affected by the government shutdown. Employees from all three Walmart stores in Lawton and Lindsey recently helped the Lawton Food Bank with their efforts.

Walmart may not see SNAP shoppers in November, but there are many other places offering assistance to families in need. Read more here.

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