The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is a FEMA-funded program that provides financial assistance to organizations that help individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness or hunger.   

EFSP supplements and expands the ongoing work of local social service organizations, both non-profit and governmental, to provide shelter, food and supportive services to individuals and families who have economic emergencies. Accordingly, EFSP funding is open to all organizations helping hungry and homeless people, as well as organizations that support those at risk of becoming hungry or homeless due to economic hardships. 

EFSP plays a major role in combating hunger and homelessness across rural, urban, and suburban communities for individuals facing economic emergencies. 

The FY26 Homeland Security funding agreement included $123.5 million for EFSP—a slight increase over FY25—however it has not been enacted into law. Congress remains at an impasse, and the Department of Homeland Security is currently shut down. 

While Congress continues working toward a solution for FY26 EFSP funding, this uncertainty only underscores the importance of providing strong, reliable support for this critical program in FY27.  Ask your Member of Congress to fund EFSP at least at the draft FY26 funding level to ensure local organizations can continue to meet urgent community needs.