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US slashes food aid amid longest government shutdown
The Trump administration will reduce food assistance for over 42 million Americans this month, as the partial government shutdown-now in its fifth week-approaches becoming the longest in U.S. history with no resolution in sight.
Emergency funds tapped for partial payments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed in a court filing that recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, will receive only half their usual monthly benefits. The move follows a federal court order requiring the agency to distribute $5.25 billion in emergency reserves to cover at least partial payments.
SNAP, which costs roughly $8 billion monthly, has been without federal funding since the shutdown began on October 1. While states administer the program, they rely on federal allocations-now frozen-which prompted legal action from 25 states and the District of Columbia, along with separate lawsuits from cities and nonprofits.
Court intervention forces partial relief
Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled last week that the USDA must use contingency funds to prevent a complete halt in benefits. The administration had until Monday to outline a distribution plan, with states expected to receive guidance by the end of the day.
President Donald Trump previously directed government lawyers to explore legal avenues for funding SNAP, acknowledging delays even with judicial clarity. "Even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed," he stated. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed this in a Sunday CNN interview, noting that payments could resume as early as Wednesday once procedural hurdles are cleared.
"There's a process that has to be followed. So, we've got to figure out what the process is."
Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary, CNN interview
States scramble as federal support falters
Last month, the USDA declared it could not distribute November SNAP benefits, stating, "The well has run dry." Some states, including California and New York, pledged to use their own funds to bridge the gap, while advocates warned of rising hunger among low-income families. A typical household of four receives $715 monthly-about $5.75 per person per day-through electronic benefit cards for grocery purchases.
Uncertainty looms as shutdown persists
The shutdown, now surpassing the 1995-96 record of 21 days, shows no signs of abating. Negotiations between the White House and Democratic lawmakers remain stalled over funding for a southern border wall, leaving critical programs like SNAP in limbo. Nonprofits and food banks report surging demand, with Feeding America estimating a 20% increase in clients since October.
Legal challenges continue, with plaintiffs arguing the administration has a statutory duty to maintain SNAP operations. The USDA has not indicated whether further emergency funds will be available if the shutdown extends into December.
