Federal Judge Orders USDA to Use Contingency Funds for SNAP Benefits

Strategic Insights -

A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must use contingency funds to provide food assistance to 42 million Americans during the government shutdown. The order was issued in response to a plea from cities and nonprofit groups seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the cutoff of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The Trump administration had argued that the program could not provide SNAP benefits beyond Saturday due to a lack of appropriations for the fiscal year that began on October 1.

Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the Rhode Island U.S. District Court granted the temporary restraining order, stating that there is "no question" that contingency funds must be used to provide food assistance. The judge's order requires the government to distribute payments of SNAP benefits and suggested using $23 billion in a fund for state child nutrition programs to cover the estimated $9 billion cost of November benefits.

Key Takeaways:

  • 42 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits to access food during the government shutdown.
  • Judge McConnell's order requires the government to distribute payments of SNAP benefits using contingency funds.
  • The judge suggested using $23 billion in a fund for state child nutrition programs to cover the estimated $9 billion cost of November benefits.
  • The government has until Monday to decide whether to make full SNAP payments for November or a partial payment.
  • If the government chooses to make a partial payment, it must pay out all $6 billion in contingency funds by Wednesday.
  • Experts and a key member of Congress have warned that some SNAP recipients may still face delays in their benefits due to changes in administration from the federal government to states to vendors.

Statistics:

  • 42 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits.
  • $9 billion is the estimated cost of November SNAP benefits.
  • $6 billion is the amount of contingency funds available to cover SNAP benefits.
  • $23 billion is the amount of funds available in a fund for state child nutrition programs.
  • November 30 is the deadline for the government to make full SNAP payments.
  • December 4 is the deadline for the government to make a partial payment of SNAP funds.

Sources:

  • [News from the States]: "Trump Administration Blocked Cutting SNAP Benefits: Two Judges Issue Orders"
  • [Truth Social]: @realDonaldTrump, "I do not want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT"
  • [DocumentCloud]: "USDA SNAP Brief"