Trump Administration Partially Funds SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown Amid 26-State Legal Battle

During the ongoing federal government shutdown, the Trump administration decided to partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November by using about $4.65 billion from a contingency fund, covering roughly half of the usual benefits. This decision followed court orders requiring the USDA to tap into available funds after the program was set to pause, impacting millions of Americans who rely on SNAP for food assistance. The administration declined to use the Section 32 Child Nutrition Program funds, citing concerns about protecting full child nutrition programs throughout the fiscal year. Legal challenges from states and advocacy groups criticized the partial funding as insufficient and a tactic to leverage political gain by restricting food aid. USDA officials warned that distributing even partial benefits could face delays, potentially taking weeks or months to reach recipients. The situation highlights the tension between federal budget constraints and the urgent need to support vulnerable populations amid the shutdown.