President Donald Trump’s administration faces critical deadlines on Monday to inform two federal judges whether it will comply with court orders to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) using contingency funds during the government shutdown. SNAP is the nation’s largest food aid program, serving about one in eight Americans and costing approximately $8 billion per month nationally.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had planned to freeze payments to SNAP beginning November 1, citing an inability to maintain funding amid the shutdown. This move has left millions of beneficiaries uncertain about how they will afford food. Regardless of the court outcomes, November benefits are expected to be delayed, as many recipients have their benefits recharged early in the month, and the card-loading process can take a week or more in several states.
Democratic state attorneys general and governors from 25 states, along with the District of Columbia, challenged the USDA’s plan to pause SNAP. They argue that the administration is legally obligated to keep the program running in their jurisdictions. Additionally, cities and nonprofit organizations have filed lawsuits opposing the suspension.
On Friday, federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts issued separate rulings requiring the administration to continue funding SNAP. Both judges allowed flexibility for the government to fund the program either partially or fully for November.
The USDA currently holds a $5 billion contingency fund designated for SNAP. However, the Trump administration reversed an earlier decision to use these reserves to maintain the program. Democratic officials contend that the administration could also tap into a separate fund containing about $23 billion.
U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell in Providence, Rhode Island, ordered that SNAP must be funded using at least the contingency funds and requested an update on progress by Monday. He emphasized that all previously granted waivers for work requirements must remain in effect. During the shutdown, the USDA terminated existing waivers that exempted work requirements for specific groups, including older adults and veterans.
In Boston, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani ruled that the suspension of SNAP benefits was unlawful. She commanded the federal government to indicate by Monday whether it will use emergency reserve funds to provide reduced benefits for November or fully fund the program using both contingency and additional funds.
Advocates and program beneficiaries warn that halting SNAP would force many people to choose between purchasing groceries and paying other essential bills. In response, most states have announced more funding or expedited processes for food banks, as well as innovative methods to reload benefits onto SNAP debit cards.
To qualify for SNAP in 2025, a family of four must have a net income, after certain expenses, that does not exceed the federal poverty line, which is about $32,000 per year. Last year, SNAP assisted nearly 42 million people, approximately two-thirds of whom were families with children.
The ongoing uncertainty around SNAP funding highlights the critical role the program plays in America’s social safety net and underscores the widespread impact of government shutdowns on vulnerable populations.
https://ktar.com/national-news/trump-administration-faces-a-deadline-to-tell-judges-whether-it-will-use-contingency-funds-for-snap/5769284/