Overview
- SNAP funding is poised to run out around Nov. 1 because of the shutdown, threatening benefits for roughly 41.7–42 million people.
- Federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts directed the administration to prevent a lapse, including an order to steer emergency dollars to SNAP, but officials have not guaranteed timely disbursements.
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the USDA contingency reserve exists but would not cover even half a normal month and argued the agency lacks clear legal authority to use it for November payouts.
- Rollins told beneficiaries, “we have failed you,” before Speaker Mike Johnson stepped in to claim she meant Democrats, underscoring the partisan fight over responsibility for the looming shortfall.
- At least 24 states have sued to force partial November funding, while states and food banks are preparing limited stopgaps as WIC and other nutrition programs face related strains.