USDA Plans Partial SNAP Payments Amid Shutdown Delay Risks

The Trump administration has announced it will continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in November, but only at partial levels due to the ongoing government shutdown. The Department of Agriculture will use a $4.65 billion contingency fund to cover about 50% of the benefits for eligible households, leaving no funds for new applicants or disaster assistance. This partial funding approach will likely result in significant delays and payment errors, as many state systems that manage SNAP benefits are outdated and require manual adjustments. An estimated 42 million recipients nationwide face uncertainty about when and how much aid they will receive, with some states potentially taking weeks to months to implement the changes. The administration's refusal to utilize additional emergency funds to fully cover SNAP has raised concerns about the food security of millions, including vulnerable populations such as students and families. Food banks across the country are anticipating increased demand as many SNAP recipients struggle to cope with reduced or delayed benefits amid the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.