The BareStory
As of November 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for approximately 42 million Americans have been halted due to an ongoing U.S. government shutdown. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated that funding for the month's payments was exhausted. While new benefits are suspended, recipients can still use any existing balances on their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.
In response, federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts have issued rulings against the Trump administration's plan to stop the payments. A judge in Rhode Island issued a temporary restraining order blocking the halt and directing that benefits be paid from emergency funds. In a separate case, a judge in Boston ruled the suspension was likely unlawful and gave the administration until Monday to clarify if it would authorize at least partial benefits. The legal challenges were reportedly initiated by a coalition of states, cities, and non-profit organizations.
The Trump administration has stated that its lawyers believe they lack the legal authority to disburse SNAP funds without a congressional appropriation. President Trump said he instructed lawyers to seek clarification from the courts on how to legally provide the funding. A Justice Department lawyer argued that the use of available contingency funds was discretionary. The administration stated the shutdown was caused by Senate Democrats who rejected a House Republican funding bill.
In the absence of federal funds, numerous states have initiated their own contingency plans. California allocated $80 million to food banks, while New York announced tens of millions of dollars for emergency food relief. Other states, including New Mexico and Virginia, are using state funds to provide benefits directly to residents. The USDA has stated that states do not have the authority to cover the federal benefits and will not be reimbursed for their spending.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
• The availability of food assistance for 42 million SNAP recipients is uncertain, pending the outcome of legal disputes between federal judges and the administration.
• Some state governments are using their own funds for emergency food aid, which the federal government has stated it will not reimburse.
• Local food banks may receive increased funding from states but could also face a significant rise in demand due to the halt in federal benefits.
• This conflict over funding authority could affect how essential services are managed and funded during future government shutdowns, potentially impacting various federal programs.
