WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal judges recently ruled that the Trump administration must fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), at least in part, even as the government shutdown drags on.
The administration said Monday it will partially fund SNAP after two federal judges ruled the government is required to provide at least some benefits for millions of Americans, despite the ongoing shutdown.
“The stories from the weekend were shameful, sickening. People overwhelming food banks, handing out groceries in lieu of Halloween candy,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. on Monday. “The administration continues to use kids, seniors, disabled Americans and working parents as political pawns, dangling the threat of hunger over their heads.”
Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island last week directed the administration to use a $5 billion emergency fund to cover part of SNAP payments for November. It’s a program that typically requires more than $8 billion a month.
“A lot of people who are elderly or caretakers, people with disabilities, but it’s also just a lot of people who work but just don’t make enough money to make ends meet,” said Gbenga Ajilore, chief economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had planned to freeze payments starting on Saturday, Nov 1., saying it could no longer fund the program because of the shutdown.
“It’s actually kind of strange that USDA would say that because the contingency fund was created for this. It’s funded for this purpose — that when it does lapse, then you would have this money,” Ajilore added.
Now, the agency is set to move forward with partial payments for the program that supports nearly 42 million Americans. Fully funded, the average monthly benefit is just under $200 per person.
A court order Saturday directs the administration to provide the funding by Wednesday. However, it’s unclear when those funds will show up — in some states, the process of reloading SNAP cards can take up to two weeks.
“Millions, Mr. President, are now at risk of going hungry. And yet the Democrat shutdown marches on,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., when delivering remarks on the Senate Floor Monday afternoon.
“The president is desperate for SNAP benefits to flow to the American citizens who desperately rely upon it,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
However, many Democrats say the administration could tap into billions more to avoid cuts altogether.
“Providing partial benefits is not enough, is not compliant with the law, and it’s particularly cruel of Trump — with the Thanksgiving season around the corner,” said Schumer.
As the shutdown nears record length, millions are still waiting — and worrying — about how to put food on the table now, and in the days ahead. Several states have boosted funding for food banks to help feed those who are simply out of options.
