On Nov. 3, the U.S. Agriculture Department stated in court filings that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would use its “contingency funds” to pay recipients half of their benefits in November to comply with an Oct. 31 federal court order. U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell Jr. thanked President Trump for personally taking action to facilitate the payment. The judge wrote, “The court greatly appreciates the president’s quick and definitive response to this court’s order and his desire to provide the necessary SNAP funding.” However, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) accused the Trump administration of doing the “bare minimum” to comply with the court order. Full SNAP payments in November would require almost $9 billion, but according to the Nov. 3 court filing, the emergency funds at USDA now stand at $4.65 billion. Nearly all SNAP recipients are elderly, disabled, or children. Officials warn that payments will arrive late and that part of the delay is caused by the need to adjust downward each payment.
Before the Oct. 1 shutdown, Trump administration officials stated that SNAP benefits would be paid using emergency funds regardless of the shutdown. However, on Oct. 10, the Dept of Agriculture announced that the payments would not be made, triggering several organizations to sue the government in order to force payment. Some states and jurisdictions, including Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, have announced their intention to fill the payment gaps so that recipients in these areas will receive their full benefits.
