Trump won't use emergency SNAP funds as 42 million face food crisis
The USDA stated that it would not use emergency funds to pay for November benefits, which are expected to run out of funding next month
President Donald Trump's administration has declared it will not utilize emergency funds to cover federal food benefits starting November 1, sparking widespread alarm among 42 million Americans who use the program.
According to a memo acquired by The Irish Star, the Department of Agriculture pointed fingers at the Democrats, stating: "If not for Congressional Democrats blocking government funding, November SNAP benefits would be paid on time."
The memo revealed that the USDA will refuse to access contingency funds or alternative nutrition programs to handle the expenses of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is projected to exhaust its funding next month.
Politico disclosed that the contingency fund currently contains approximately $5 billion, falling short of the $9 billion required to cover November benefits. Reports indicated that even if the agency had accessed the funds, it would require weeks for the administration to allocate the money, resulting in many individuals missing their November benefits, regardless, according to the Irish Star.
According to Politico, even if the Trump administration had chosen to utilize the fund, it would have needed multiple weeks to begin preparing the partial payments. The Trump administration is reportedly anticipating Congressional Democrats and multiple anti-hunger organizations to launch a lawsuit challenging the decision to avoid tapping into the fund.
The White House has consistently pointed fingers at Democrats for the government shutdown, despite both parties failing to agree on a spending bill. The USDA noted in a memo that it couldn't access the fund as it was earmarked for natural disasters.
It also argued that dipping into funds from other nutrition programs would negatively impact beneficiaries, including mothers and babies, as well as schoolchildren who rely on free lunches. "This Administration will not allow Democrats to jeopardize funding for school meals and infant formula in order to prolong their shutdown," the USDA stated in the memo.
In theory, Congress could pass a standalone bill to fund SNAP for the month of November. However, for it to be effective, it would need to clear both the House and Senate by early next week. Speaker Mike Johnson said that if the Senate were to pass the legislation, the House would "address" it.
However, it appears one Republican is leaning toward tapping into the funds. "I think the president and GOP should do what we can to alleviate harm done by the Democrats," Rep Don Bacon texted. Bacon also expressed his support for Congress returning to work should the Senate pass the bill.
States like Virginia and Hawaii have already started dipping into their emergency reserves to provide food benefits as SNAP runs dry for their residents. Sadly, it remains uncertain how long these states can sustain the assistance, considering their tight budgets and typical dependence on federal government support.
The USDA made it clear that states using their own funds will not receive reimbursement.
End in sight?
The grim SNAP benefits situation emerges as Senate Republicans have hinted they may give in and extend current government spending levels through December 2026. Republicans are reportedly indicating that funding a stopgap through November 21 represents the sole path to ending the government shutdown.
The shutdown kicked off on October 1 after Senate Democrats couldn't pass the House-approved "clean" continuing resolution. As of Thursday, the resolution has been blocked on the Senate floor 11 times.
In what appears to be a last-ditch effort, The Hill reported that Republicans are quietly discussing alternative end dates. Yet even among GOP members, there's disagreement about whether the extension should be long-term or short-term.
Jason Smith, the Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee from Missouri, reportedly told Bloomberg TV that some Republicans are considering extending the deadline through December 2026. "I've been hearing this conversation from senators, from House members, that a CR not just for a year, but to Dec. 1 of next year," Smith shared with the outlet.
"I strongly support a longer-term continuing resolution," Smith continued. "I would support that until Dec. 1. I think that would allow more stability for our economy, stability for the American people."