The Trump administration has announced it will provide reduced food aid to more than 42 million Americans as the government shutdown nears a record duration without a resolution. Due to this ongoing shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated in a court filing that food assistance recipients will receive only half of their usual monthly allotment by tapping into emergency funding.
Federal judges instructed the administration to devise a plan for how to deliver Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, amidst the funding crisis. The SNAP program has seen its funding in jeopardy due to the month-long government shutdown.
Although states manage the distribution of these benefits, they depend on federal funds that have been frozen since early October. By the end of the day on Monday, affected states will receive clarity on how to handle the reduced funds. Federal judges from Massachusetts and Rhode Island have ruled that the USDA must allocate $5.25 billion in emergency funds to ensure Americans continue to receive at least partial benefits.
While SNAP typically costs around $8 billion each month, the ongoing shutdown has put immense pressure on low-income families who rely on this aid for basic food purchases. In an average month, a family of four receives about $715, which breaks down to less than $6 per person each day.
In a statement, President Trump acknowledged the legal constraints faced by his administration and the complicated nature of accessing the emergency funds. Meanwhile, states have reacted to this crisis — with some indicating they may utilize their own resources to ensure benefits continue flowing to families in need.
