WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration announced Monday that it will partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after two federal judges ordered the government to continue providing food aid during the ongoing shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had originally planned to halt SNAP payments beginning November 1, citing an inability to sustain funding without congressional approval. The program, which helps feed roughly one in eight Americans, supports more than 42 million people across the country and costs about $8 to $9 billion each month.
Court Orders Force Action
The decision follows rulings from judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island requiring the USDA to use available emergency reserves to keep the program running. The USDA’s contingency fund, which holds roughly $4.6 billion, is enough to cover only about half of a typical month’s SNAP benefits. As a result, beneficiaries are expected to receive partial payments for November.
Administration officials said they are complying with the rulings but warned that resources are limited. Without additional congressional appropriations, the contingency funds could be depleted within weeks.
Impact on Beneficiaries
It remains unclear exactly how much assistance recipients will receive or when the funds will appear on their benefit cards. In some states, the process of loading Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards can take up to two weeks.
The average monthly SNAP benefit is around $190 per person, but for November, recipients may only receive about half of that amount. New applicants and those awaiting benefit renewals could also face delays, as most available funds are being directed toward existing enrollees.
State and Local Responses
Several states have already begun taking emergency action to fill the gap. New York declared a state of emergency late last week, freeing up $65 million to support food banks as federal aid faltered. Other states, including Oregon, Virginia, and Illinois, have started using state funds to restock local pantries and assist families in need.
Food banks nationwide report an immediate surge in demand. Many are working overtime to keep shelves stocked, warning that the partial funding will not be enough to prevent hunger if the shutdown continues.
Political and Legal Context
The current funding crisis stems from the broader federal government shutdown, now entering its second month, amid a political standoff over the federal budget. The administration initially resisted tapping into the contingency reserves, arguing they were meant for natural disasters or emergency food relief programs.
However, courts ruled that the USDA is legally obligated to use those funds to continue SNAP operations while the government remains shuttered. The rulings cited the immediate harm to millions of low-income Americans if benefits were stopped.
Looking Ahead
The partial funding announcement brings temporary relief but no long-term solution. If the shutdown continues into December, SNAP could face another funding cliff — one that state governments may not be able to offset.
Advocates and local agencies are urging Congress to act quickly to approve new appropriations and restore full benefits. Until then, states and charitable organizations are expected to shoulder much of the burden to prevent widespread food insecurity.
