The Trump administration has announced that it will utilize SNAP Contingency Funds to partially cover food benefits for the month of November.
RELATED: REPORT: Trump Administration Rejects Using Emergency Funds For EBT As Millions On Verge Of Losing SNAP Benefits
Trump Administration To Use SNAP Contingency Fund To Partially Pay For Food Benefits For November
According to CNBC, the Trump administration informed Rhode Island judge John McConnell of its decision on Monday, November 3. Instead of using the contingency fund to pay for full benefits for the month of November, the administration reportedly decided to use 50% of contingency funds. Per the outlet, that amount is $4.65 billion. And it will be used “to cover 50% of eligible households’ current allotments.”
At this time, it remains unclear when exactly the benefits will begin to be disbursed. However, the outlet notes that “the benefits might be paid by Wednesday.” AP News reports that the process could “take up to two weeks in some states… or even months.” Meanwhile, Democracy Forward, an advocacy group petitioning for the administration to make full SNAP payments, is still working toward its goal.
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“We are reviewing the administration’s submission to the court and considering all legal options to secure payment of full funds. It shouldn’t take a court order to force our President to provide essential nutrition that Congress has made clear needs to be provided,” Democracy Forward CEO Skye Perryman reportedly asserted in a statement.
Furthermore, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has reportedly noted, “The Trump Administration just admitted what we have known all along – this funding was available this entire time and the President could have been using it to prevent American families from going hungry. We are awaiting clarity on how much and when those benefits will be made available. But the President should not stop there.”
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Here’s What Led To The Decision For Trump Administration To Use SNAP Contingency Fund To Partially Pay For Food Benefits For November
As The Shade Room previously reported, the halt in food benefits began with the government shutdown on October 1. The shutdown was prompted by lawmakers ‘ inability to agree on a spending package for the upcoming full fiscal year. Furthermore, when shutdowns occur, “many agencies and activities must shutter until Congress appropriates more money.”
Later that month, it was highlighted that 42 million SNAP recipients were at risk of losing their benefits on November 1, per The Shade Room. As the date approached, the Trump administration asserted that it would not be tapping contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits, as this would require it to withdraw money from other government-funded programs such as the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child And Adult Care Feeding Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children, etc.
However, last week, Judge John McConnell ordered the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) to distribute SNAP funds “as soon as possible.”
