Trump Administration to Partially Fund SNAP Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

Trump Administration to Partially Fund SNAP Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
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The administration of President Donald Trump announced Monday that it will partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November after two federal judges ordered the government to continue operating the nation’s largest food aid program, KNOE 8 News reported.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had planned to halt payments on Nov. 1, citing a lack of funds due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. SNAP, which supports about one in eight Americans, costs more than $8 billion monthly. Officials said an emergency fund containing $4.65 billion would be used to cover roughly half the usual benefits, potentially setting up another funding challenge in December if the shutdown persists.

Details on how much recipients will receive and when benefits will appear on SNAP debit cards remain unclear. The USDA said it will provide states with guidance on calculating partial payments, though some states may take up to two weeks to process them. The average benefit is around $190 per person per month.

The partial funding follows rulings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where judges required the government to use available emergency funds to sustain SNAP operations. Democratic officials and advocacy groups have urged the USDA to fully fund the program, warning that millions could face food insecurity.
State governments are increasing aid to food banks and creating backup systems to support households, while legal and political pressure mounts on the federal government to restore full SNAP payments.