Trump Administration Faces Monday Deadline to Secure SNAP Funding Amid Shutdown

The Trump administration faces a Monday deadline to inform two federal judges whether it will comply with court orders to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) using contingency funds during the government shutdown. The program, which serves about 1 in 8 Americans, was set to freeze payments starting November 1 due to the shutdown, leaving millions with uncertainty about how they will feed themselves. According to court documents, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had planned to stop funding SNAP due to the shutdown, citing a lack of appropriations. However, two federal judges intervened, ordering the USDA to continue funding the program using contingency funds. The USDA has until Monday to respond to the court orders, which could potentially avert a crisis for millions of Americans relying on SNAP benefits. "We're extremely concerned about the potential impact on our clients," said a spokesperson for the Food Research & Action Center, a nonprofit organization that advocates for low-income individuals. "SNAP is a critical lifeline for many families, and any disruption to the program could have serious consequences for their health and well-being." The USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) costs about $8 billion per month nationally and serves approximately 40 million individuals. The program is a major piece of the nation's social safety net, providing food assistance to low-income individuals and families. The government shutdown, which began in late October, has already caused disruptions to various federal programs, including SNAP. The USDA had planned to freeze payments to the program starting November 1, citing a lack of appropriations. However, the court orders have temporarily stayed the shutdown, allowing the program to continue operating. The Food Bank Association of America has warned of a crisis if SNAP benefits are disrupted, citing the potential for increased food insecurity and hardship for low-income individuals. "We're doing everything we can to prepare for the worst-case scenario," said a spokesperson for the association. "But we're also hopeful that the USDA will comply with the court orders and continue funding the program." The Trump administration faces a Monday deadline to respond to the court orders, which could potentially avert a crisis for millions of Americans relying on SNAP benefits. The USDA has not yet indicated whether it will comply with the court orders, leaving the outcome uncertain.