Overview
- SNAP payments stopped Nov. 1 for roughly 42 million people after the federal funding lapse.
- A Rhode Island federal judge ordered full benefits by Monday or at least partial payments by Wednesday, directing use of USDA contingency funds and potentially other legally available accounts.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said benefits could resume by Wednesday as the administration prepares a court‑mandated compliance plan due Monday at noon.
- USDA holds about $5.25–$6 billion in contingency funds versus roughly $8.5–$9+ billion needed for a full November payout, increasing the likelihood of partial disbursements and staggered timing.
- States and nonprofits are mounting stopgaps, including Virginia’s emergency nutrition program and expanded food bank distributions, but providers report surging demand they cannot meet at scale.