Overview
- USDA has confirmed that SNAP benefits will not be issued starting Nov. 1 unless federal funding is restored, affecting more than 41 million people.
- A coalition of roughly 25–26 states filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to force the administration to continue funding, led by AGs Andrea Joy Campbell, Rob Bonta and Kristin Mayes.
- USDA guidance says contingency funds are "not legally available" for regular benefits and warns states that any stopgap payments they make will not be reimbursed.
- States announced short-term measures, including California accelerating $80 million to food banks, Nevada moving nearly $40 million and mobilizing the National Guard, Colorado seeking $10 million, New Mexico $8 million, Minnesota $4 million, and Virginia and Louisiana declaring emergencies; New York unveiled emergency food aid.
- USDA-FNS’s tighter work rules for certain adults without dependents take effect Nov. 1, while anti-hunger groups warn the interruption could strain WIC, school meals and local economies, with Latino communities heavily impacted.