US Government Restores Partial Food Stamp Benefits Amid Shutdown

The Trump administration has agreed to partially restore food stamp benefits for November, providing about half of the usual Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments by using a $4.65 billion contingency fund amid the ongoing government shutdown. This decision follows court orders from federal judges who ruled that the administration must continue funding SNAP, rejecting arguments that contingency funds were unavailable during the shutdown. While the average monthly household SNAP benefit is around $350, recipients will receive approximately $175 this month, with some states potentially facing delays of weeks or months in distributing these partial payments due to required system adjustments. The administration chose not to reallocate $4 billion from other programs, such as child nutrition, to fully fund SNAP benefits. The shutdown, driven by disputes over Affordable Care Act subsidies, has caused significant hardship for nearly 42 million Americans dependent on SNAP, prompting widespread concern and legal challenges. Advocacy groups are reviewing the partial funding plan and considering further legal action to secure full benefits for recipients.