Overview
- The USDA confirmed it will use about $4.65 billion in contingency funds to cover roughly 50% of November SNAP benefits, which is insufficient to fund a full month for all recipients.
- The White House press secretary said the administration will fully comply with federal court rulings and move out partial payments as quickly as possible, following the president’s earlier post suggesting benefits would wait for the shutdown to end.
- States received federal guidance to issue prorated amounts, with officials warning of processing delays as systems are updated; Nevada said households could see cuts of 50% or more and that distribution timing remains uncertain.
- Two federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ordered the government to use emergency reserves after lawsuits by more than two dozen states and Washington, D.C., compelling at least partial restoration of benefits.
- Cities and states are expanding emergency food aid, including Los Angeles distribution events and a $30 million plan in New York for 16 million meals, as food banks prepare for surging demand.