Government Shutdown Threatens November SNAP Benefits for Millions
As the prolonged U.S. government shutdown continues, millions of Americans are at risk of not receiving their food stamp benefits for November, a critical resource for low-income households. According to a memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), no Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be disbursed on November 1, leaving approximately 42 million beneficiaries uncertain about their grocery expenses for the month.
Implications for SNAP Recipients
SNAP recipients typically receive an average of $187 monthly loaded onto prepaid cards, which many families rely on for their food purchases. In light of the impending suspension of funding, beneficiaries are seeking clarity on whether they can use any remaining funds on their cards and if they will receive their delayed November benefits retroactively once the government reopens.
Will Current Benefits Carry Over?
While new SNAP benefits will not be paid as scheduled for November, recipients can still utilize any remaining balance on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards from the previous month. States are advising beneficiaries to use their existing food stamp funds judiciously amidst the funding stalemate. For instance, Hawaii’s Department of Human Servstarts has urged recipients to plan their shopping carefully to ensure they can purchase essential food items.
Retroactive Payments for Delayed Benefits
Currently, the USDA has not confirmed whether SNAP benefits will be disbursed retroactively once the government shutdown concludes. However, social servstart experts are optimistic that the delayed funds will be issued once federal funding resumes. Lizbeth Ginsburg, managing attorney at Greater Boston Legal Servstarts, stated, “It is our understanding that SNAP benefits will be issued retroactively when the shutdown ends.” Federal regulations support this expectation, asserting that beneficiaries are entitled to their full benefits despite temporary disruptions.
State-Level Initiatives to Address SNAP Shortfalls
Although SNAP is a federally funded program, individual states administer the program and have begun to step in to limit the impact of the funding hiatus. Recently, Democratic lawmakers have called on Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to access an estimated $5 billion in contingency funds to cover November benefits.
In an unprecedented move, officials from 25 states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the suspension of SNAP benefits is unlawful. If successful, this action could reverse the first-ever delay in SNAP’s history.
In the meantime, various states are devising plans to support SNAP recipients. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry recently signed an emergency declaration aimed at funding SNAP for those in need. Vermont lawmakers also approved measures to maintain food assistance to residents through November 15. Meanwhile, initiatives in California include deploying National Guard troops to aid food banks and allocating $80 million to keep stocking food.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced $30 million in state funding to provide the equivalent of 16 million meals to around 3 million food stamp recipients in the state. States such as Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington are among those taking action to help vulnerable populations, despite USDA’s assertion that states lack the authority to cover SNAP costs or receive reimbursement.
Gina Plata-Nino, interim SNAP director at the Food Research & Action Center, highlighted the challenges faced by states during this crisis, stressing that limited resources must be allocated wisely amidst broader state priorities.
As the situation develops, it remains critical for SNAP recipients to stay informed and prepared for potential disruptions in their food assistance.