Trump administration says emergency funds can't be used to keep SNAP benefits going [View all]

(NPR) The Trump administration says it will not use emergency funds to send out federal food aid at the beginning of November, blaming Democrats for not working to reopen the government.

Millions of Americans are expected to lose their benefits this week – leaving states scrambling to pitch in and pay the difference, even as some have already notified recipients not to expect their monthly food assistance.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is an entitlement program that provides about 1 in 8 U.S. residents an average of $187 a month in food aid. But the roughly $8 billion a month to fund SNAP benefits comes through annual Congressional appropriations, which lapsed on Oct. 1.

https://www.npr.org/2025/10/27/nx-s1-5587255/snap-benefit-shutdown-contingency-fund-food-stamps