Trump Administration Will Partially Fund SNAP Benefits: What It Means For NYC

NEW YORK CITY — The Trump administration announced on Monday that it will partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) this month.

The administration had a Monday deadline to provide an update in federal court on whether it would resume SNAP funding. They plan to use emergency funding, $4.65 billion from a SNAP contingency fund, to cover 50 percent of eligible households' "current allotments."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture had planned to freeze payments to the program on Nov. 1 before two federal judges ordered that the Trump administration must continue to fund SNAP benefits by using contingency funds during the government shutdown last week.

The program serves about 1 in 8 Americans, costing about $8 billion per month nationally.

It's unclear at this time how quickly benefits will be restored or how much individuals will receive on their SNAP cards.

In preparation of a potential stoppage in SNAP benefits and payments, Governor Kathy Hochul on announced $65 million in state funding for emergency food assistance.

The money would go towards New York’s food banks and pantries and providing about 40 million meals to New Yorkers in need.

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams also announced $15 million in emergency funding for food assistance coupled with an all-hands-on-deck response to prepare for the potential food emergency during the federal government shutdown.

On Oct. 31, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell in Providence ruled that the program must be funded using at least the contingency funds.

Similarly, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston ruled in a written opinion that the USDA has to pay for SNAP, calling the suspension "unlawful." She ordered the federal government to advise the court by Monday whether they will use the contingency funds to provide reduced SNAP benefits for November or fully fund the program "using both contingency funds and additional available funds.

The program serves about 1 in 8 Americans, costing about $8 billion per month nationally.