Trump Moves to Restore Partial SNAP Funding Amid Shutdown

Photo: The White House

By San Diego Monitor News Staff

In the midst of the ongoing federal government shutdown, the Trump Administration announced Monday that the federal food-assistance lifeline known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be partially funded for the month of November — a tentative fix that leaves millions of Americans in limbo.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has tapped into emergency funds — approximately $4.65 billion — to cover about half the normal monthly benefits for SNAP recipients. USDA officials warn that states may need weeks or even months to reconfigure their systems to issue these reduced benefits. Two federal judges recently ruled that the Trump administration must use contingency funds to keep SNAP afloat during the shutdown.

SNAP is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, serving around 42 million Americans. With only half of benefits guaranteed for now, many low-income Americans face a sharp reduction in their monthly food support. The partial payout is unprecedented in the program’s nearly 60-year history. States are feeling the pressure: food banks are already stretched, families are bracing, and some state governments are stepping in to fill gaps. For example, Maryland pledged $62 million to ensure full SNAP benefits for its residents this month.

Democrats blasted the partial funding plan as inadequate. Senators Jeff Merkley and Chuck Schumer led efforts to force a full-funding resolution in the Senate — which Republicans declined, saying the root issue is the shutdown itself. On the other side, supporters of the administration’s approach argue the move is legally constrained and thus the best possible under current conditions. Looking ahead, if the shutdown extends, the emergency funds may be exhausted, and the risk of even deeper cuts or full suspension of benefits looms. SNAP’s structure gives the USDA some flexibility, but it is not designed for sustained partial funding.

In San Diego County and across California, many SNAP recipients already face tight budgets. A drop in benefit levels could affect families’ ability to pay for groceries, utilities or rent. Local food banks and nonprofits should prepare for increased demand.Stakeholders here may want to monitor how the USDA’s guidance and state responses unfold. Given that SNAP administration is handled at the state level, the timing and amount of benefits may vary — recipients should watch alerts from the California Department of Social Services or their local county office.

If you’re a SNAP recipient, check your regular EBT account for updates this month, and watch for any changes in your benefit amount. Local nonprofits and food banks should prepare for possible increased client demand and coordinate with county support services. Advocates are urging residents to contact congressional representatives to restore full funding, and policymakers are considering contingency plans to support vulnerable residents if benefits are delayed or reduced further.

In short: President Trump’s administration has taken the first step in restoring SNAP funding — but it is a half-measure. For millions of Americans, including many here in San Diego, the food-security window remains fragile, hinging on both federal budget action and state-level execution.