Millions on SNAP to receive at least partial benefits for November

Millions of Americans will receive only partial food assistance benefits this month, as the Trump administration says it will use emergency funds to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — or SNAP — partially afloat during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

In a federal court filing in Rhode Island, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it plans to use $5.25 billion in contingency funds to pay about half of eligible households’ SNAP benefits for November. But officials warn it could take weeks or months for some states to make the system changes needed to calculate and issue reduced payments.

The administration’s plan follows a court order last week directing it to use emergency funds after SNAP benefits lapsed for the first time ever on November first. A coalition of states had sued to force the release of funds.

The USDA said it would also provide $600 million for states’ administrative costs, but that tariff revenue and other funds are being reserved for child nutrition programs instead of SNAP.

Meanwhile, Colorado and several other states are scrambling to fill the gap. Governor Jared Polis and lawmakers approved a $10 million emergency allocation for food assistance, though officials admit the state has no mechanism to load money directly onto SNAP cards.

Cities are also taking action. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has formed a new food task force to help residents struggling to access meals in the coming weeks.

Partial payments are unprecedented in SNAP’s 60-year history, which serves nearly 42 million low-income Americans nationwide.