SNAP benefits latest: Emergency funding uncertain as shutdown continues

Greater than a month after the federal government shutdown, thousands and thousands of People this week are uncertain when they may obtain their federal meals help once more.

Final week, two federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts individually dominated that they ordered the Trump administration to take action use emergency funds to proceed funding the Supplemental Diet Help Program (SNAP) through the shutdown. However days later, it is nonetheless unclear how that cash would come about — and when the debit playing cards recipients use could be reloaded.

Food banks are preparing for the expiration of SNAP funding

We’re studying extra as thousands and thousands could also be compelled to decide on between shopping for meals and paying different payments as funding for SNAP advantages runs out because of the authorities shutdown. Meals banks from throughout the nation are providing help within the coming weeks to assist households get groceries. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac speaks with Michael Flood, who has been CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Meals Financial institution since 2000.

The U.S. Division of Agriculture deliberate to freeze funds to the Supplemental Diet Help Program beginning Nov. 1, saying the company might now not proceed to fund it because of the shutdown.

As well as, the USDA has a $5 billion emergency fund for this system, however the Trump administration has reversed an earlier plan to make use of that cash to maintain SNAP operating. Democratic officers say the Trump administration might additionally use a separate fund of about $23 billion.

Here is the most recent on the federal government shutdown and SNAP advantages:

SNAP emergency funding ruling

On October 30, 2025, an EBT signal is displayed within the window of a grocery store within the Flatbush part of the Brooklyn borough of New York Metropolis. (Photograph by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Photographs)

Timeline:

On Friday, U.S. District Decide John J. McConnell in Rhode Island ordered the federal government to report Monday on how it will fund SNAP accounts.

McConnell stated the Trump administration ought to both make a full fee as we speak or, if it decides to faucet $3 billion from a bailout fund, determine how to try this by Wednesday.

However irrespective of how the cash strikes ahead, advantages for thousands and thousands of individuals shall be delayed this month as a result of the card-loading course of might take per week or extra in lots of states.

RELATED: How to get free, discounted groceries during SNAP benefit expiration

What they are saying:

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in an look on CNN on Sunday that the federal government remains to be ready for instructions from the courts.

Within the meantime:

Final weekend, lengthy traces shaped at meals banks throughout the nation as households who noticed their advantages expired sought free meals and groceries. Meals banks are seeing demand improve, with many individuals arriving early to safe necessities.

Most states have announced this elevated or accelerated funding for meals banks or new methods to load at the least some advantages onto SNAP debit playing cards.

READ MORE: These states will partially fund food stamps during the shutdown

Giant picture:

This system, which prices about $8 billion monthly and serves about 1 in 8 People, is a crucial a part of the nation’s social security internet. It will be the primary time in this system’s historical past that funds have been suspended.