Judge Orders USDA to Use Contingency Funds

The government shutdown halted SNAP funding on Nov. 1, threatening food assistance for roughly 42 million Americans and leaving millions — including about 800,000 New Jersey residents and more than one million California households — without November benefits. A federal judge ordered the USDA to use contingency funds and explore other funding sources to resume at least partial payments and gave the administration until Monday, Nov. 3, to present a plan; however, no funds had been released as of Nov. 1. States and local officials declared emergencies and accelerated support — New Jersey advanced $42.5 million to food banks and California mobilized CalFresh partners — while nonprofits such as Extra Table FEEDS are doubling distributions and running matching fundraisers. Food banks and grocers say they are overwhelmed and scrambling to prepare extra deliveries as pantries face an immediate surge and retailers brace for reduced SNAP spending. Officials and nonprofits are compiling resource lists, organizing food drives and emergency distributions. Advocates warn that logistical delays reloading EBT cards could take one to two weeks, prolonging hardship even if payments are ordered restarted.