Overview
- USDA says it will suspend November SNAP disbursements starting Nov. 1 and will not use roughly $5–6 billion in contingency reserves, a shortfall against the program’s roughly $8–9 billion monthly cost.
- Twenty-three to twenty-five states and Washington, D.C., have sued to force release of contingency funds, and U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani indicated she is likely to order emergency funding, with any ruling expected to apply nationwide.
- New York declared an emergency and unlocked $65 million for food aid while Virginia, Oregon, and California announced stopgap support, though USDA has warned states will not be reimbursed for fronting benefits.
- About 42–44 million people rely on SNAP, including a large share of children, and schools and food banks report preparations for sharp increases in need as families lose purchasing power.
- Congress remains at an impasse over government funding as proposals surface to keep SNAP flowing, including a bill promoted by Sen. Josh Hawley, leaving recipients and retailers facing uncertainty heading into the weekend.