Overview
- Administration filings told federal courts the USDA would obligate about $4.6–$4.65 billion from SNAP’s contingency fund to cover roughly half of November benefits, with guidance sent to states Tuesday.
- USDA warned states may need days to weeks or even months to reprogram systems for reduced allotments, delaying disbursements despite the partial-funding plan.
- Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ordered the government to continue SNAP funding, and a Thursday hearing in Rhode Island will consider a bid to compel full November payments.
- The contingency reserve would be largely exhausted by partial November payouts, leaving little or no buffer for new applicants, disaster needs, or December benefits if the shutdown continues.
- Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic move to force full November funding, while several states—including Maryland, Louisiana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia—have launched stopgaps to support residents.