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SNAP Payments Set to Halt Nov. 1 During Shutdown as States Sue to Force Payouts

USDA says appropriations are exhausted, asserting contingency money cannot cover regular benefits.

Overview

  • A coalition of roughly 25–26 states filed suit in federal court in Massachusetts seeking an order compelling the USDA to issue November SNAP benefits, citing Title 7 and the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • USDA maintains emergency funds are legally restricted and warned states that any stopgap spending to replace federal benefits will not be reimbursed.
  • More than 41 million people rely on SNAP, with reported impacts including about 495,000 recipients in Nevada, roughly 2.98 million in Florida, and approximately 900,000 in Arizona.
  • States announced limited relief measures for food assistance, including California accelerating $80 million for food banks and New York unveiling new emergency funding initiatives.
  • Reporting noted USDA removed a contingency-plan document from its website and moved $300 million from WIC as a temporary step, while agencies continue processing applications without issuing new November deposits.