Trump Administration to Partially Fund SNAP Amid Government Shutdown

The Trump administration has announced it will partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November, following federal court orders amid the ongoing government shutdown. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to utilize approximately $4.65 billion from its contingency fund to provide about half of the usual benefits to the nearly 42 million Americans who rely on the program.

This decision comes after federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled that the administration must continue SNAP payments during the shutdown. The USDA had initially intended to halt payments starting November 1 due to funding constraints but was ordered to use emergency reserves to sustain the program.

The contingency fund, however, falls short of the approximately $8 billion required for full monthly benefits, resulting in reduced assistance for recipients. The USDA has indicated that it will provide guidance to states on calculating partial benefits per household. The exact amounts and timing of these payments remain uncertain, with potential delays due to administrative processing.

In response to the funding shortfall, some states have declared states of emergency to support food banks and provide additional assistance. For instance, New York allocated $65 million to bolster food banks as federal aid lapses.

The government shutdown, now in its 34th day, continues to impact various federal programs and services, with no immediate resolution in sight.