Trump administration to pay half of SNAP benefits amid shutdown

The Trump administration told a Rhode Island federal judge it will use $4.65 billion from a contingency fund to pay 50% of November SNAP benefits as the government shutdown continues into its fifth week.

SNAP provides food assistance to about 42 million low-income Americans. 

The administration declined a judge’s proposal to use an additional $4 billion from the Child Nutrition Program to fully fund benefits, saying those funds must support school and summer meal programs.

The Department of Agriculture said it will allocate the contingency funds immediately, allowing states to begin disbursing partial payments once calculations are completed. 

Treasury officials said the payments could start by Wednesday.

Advocacy groups criticized the move as inadequate, arguing that full benefits are essential to prevent hunger. 

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey urged the President to restore full funding for SNAP as soon as possible.