Summary
President Donald Trump's administration will use contingency funds to continue part of the SNAP food benefits during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. Two federal judges ruled that stopping these benefits would be unlawful, prompting the government to release up to $5 billion from contingency funds. The SNAP program helps about one in eight Americans by offering food assistance.
Key Facts
- President Trump's administration will use contingency funds to continue SNAP benefits during the U.S. government shutdown.
- The SNAP program, also known as food stamps, provides food aid to low-income Americans.
- The program benefits around one in eight Americans each month.
- SNAP costs over $8 billion monthly and provides up to $356 per household for groceries.
- Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled that the benefits must continue.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture agreed to use $5 billion in contingency funds but not sufficient to fully cover SNAP.
- It is unclear when beneficiaries will receive the funds or the total amount they will get.
- Court rulings stated that halting SNAP during the shutdown would cause irreparable harm.
