The Trump administration announced Monday that it will partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November, complying with recent federal court rulings requiring the government to continue the nation’s largest food aid program during the ongoing government shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that it will use $4.65 billion in emergency reserve funds—enough to cover about half of the usual monthly benefits. SNAP, which helps feed about one in eight Americans, typically costs around $8 billion per month. Officials warned that without a resolution to the shutdown, funding shortfalls could return in December.
The partial funding comes after two judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ordered the government to use contingency funds to sustain the program. However, the USDA has not committed to restoring full benefits, and millions of recipients face delays as states work to update payment systems.
In Arizona, food banks and local agencies are preparing for increased demand. Glendale resident Corina Betancourt, a single mother of three, said her reduced benefit will make it harder to feed her family this month. “We always make things work somehow,” she said, adding that she expects to rely more on food pantries.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who joined a multistate lawsuit to block the SNAP suspension, called the rulings a critical step in protecting vulnerable families. “This is a win for Arizona families who depend on this support to put food on the table,” Mayes said Friday.
The Arizona Food Bank Network and City of Phoenix Human Services Department have both shared additional food assistance resources for residents affected by the delays.
The USDA said more details on payment schedules will be provided to states this week. Meanwhile, advocates continue to push the administration to fully fund SNAP and prevent further disruption to low-income households.
