More than a month into the government shutdown, millions of Americans are uncertain this week when they will receive their federal food assistance again.
Last week, two federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ruled separately ordering the Trump administration to use emergency funds to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, during the shutdown. But, days later, it’s still unclear how that money would come about – and when the debit cards that recipients use would be reloaded.
Food banks prepare for SNAP funding lapses
We are learning more as millions may be forced to choose between buying food and paying other bills as funding for SNAP benefits runs out because of the government shutdown. Food banks from across the country are offering assistance in the coming weeks to help families get groceries. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is speaking with Michael Flood, who has served as the Chief Executive of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank since 2000.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting Nov. 1 because the agency said it could no longer keep funding it due to the shutdown.
Additionally, the USDA has a $5 billion contingency fund for the program, but the Trump administration reversed an earlier plan to use that money to keep SNAP running. Democratic officials argue that the Trump administration could also use a separate fund of about $23 billion.
Here is the latest on the government shutdown and SNAP benefits:
SNAP emergency funding ruling
An EBT sign is displayed on the window of a grocery store on October 30, 2025 in the Flatbush neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Timeline:
On Friday, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell in Rhode Island ordered the government to report back by Monday on how it would fund SNAP accounts.
McConnell said the Trump administration must either make a full payment by today or, if it decides to tap $3 billion in a contingency fund, figure out how to do that by Wednesday.
But no matter how the funds shuffle through, the benefits for millions of people will be delayed this month because the process of loading cards can take a week or more in many states.
RELATED: How to get free, discounted groceries during SNAP benefit lapse
What they’re saying:
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a CNN appearance on Sunday that the administration was continuing to await direction from the courts.
Meanwhile:
Over the weekend, long lines formed at food pantries across the country as families that are seeing a lapse in benefits are looking to get free meals and groceries. Food pantries are seeing increased demand, with many people arriving early to secure essentials.
Most states have announced more or expedited funding for food banks or novel ways to load at least some benefits onto the SNAP debit cards.
READ MORE: These states will partially fund food stamps amid shutdown
Big picture view:
The program, which costs around $8 billion a month and serves about 1 in 8 Americans, is a major piece of the nation’s social safety net. It would be the first time in the program’s history that payments would be suspended.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from The Associated Press and previous FOX Television Station reporting. This story was reported from Detroit.
Government ShutdownConsumerU.S.Food and DrinkPoliticsNews
