Summary
President Donald Trump's administration faces a Monday deadline to inform courts about its plans to continue funding SNAP during the government shutdown. SNAP is a key U.S. food aid program for low-income individuals that requires funding to remain operational. Two federal judges have ordered the administration to keep SNAP payments going, but funding methods remain undecided.
Key Facts
- SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps 1 in 8 Americans with food support.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) planned to halt SNAP payments starting November 1st due to the government shutdown.
- There is a $5 billion contingency fund for SNAP, but the USDA previously decided not to use it.
- Two judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts have ordered the administration to continue payments, using contingency funds if needed.
- Democratic officials and others argue the government should use a $23 billion reserve fund to help fund SNAP.
- SNAP benefits may be delayed because recharging benefit cards takes time.
- SNAP eligibility for a family of four requires a net income below the federal poverty line, about $32,000 per year.
- Last year, SNAP supported nearly 42 million people, mainly families with children.
