As the federal government shutdown stretches on, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will tap into a contingency fund to allow states to issue partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The move follows a federal court order requiring the agency to use all available resources to support millions of Americans who depend on food assistance each month.
SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, serves over 42 million people nationwide. With normal federal funding stalled, the USDA had initially claimed it could not use the contingency fund, estimated at $5 to $6 billion, to support ongoing benefits. However, a judge rejected that stance, ruling the USDA is obligated to utilize those funds to prevent benefit disruptions.
While the contingency reserve won’t cover a full month of SNAP payments, it does allow states to begin issuing partial benefits, providing some relief to vulnerable families. The USDA has now informed the court that it will comply with the ruling and coordinate with states to move forward.
The situation remains fluid. States will determine how much assistance they can provide based on the available funds, and recipients may see smaller or delayed deposits in the coming weeks. Some states may opt to contribute their own resources, though the USDA has previously said it won’t reimburse states for such efforts.
