The White House will issue only partial food aid payments to 42 million low-income Americans as the ongoing government shutdown crippling public services nears record length, officials told a federal judge on Monday.
Two federal courts recently ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration must use a $4.65 billion emergency fund toward the $9 billion needed for November’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments before halting the scheme.
However, Agriculture Department officials said in a filing to a Rhode Island court that the shortfall would not be covered with other funds, meaning only “50 percent of eligible households’ current allotments” will be disbursed.
Democrats’ blockade of a House stopgap funding bill has extended the shutdown to 36 days, set to break the record for the longest in US history. The standoff centers on funding to sustain Affordable Care Act subsidies, a crucial support for over 20 million Americans, which are set to expire at year’s end.
SNAP benefits, averaging $356 per household monthly, lapsed on Saturday, leaving one in eight Americans uncertain about how to afford groceries. Meanwhile, programs like WIC and “Head Start” are also on the brink of closure.
Trump said Friday that he had directed government lawyers to “clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible,” though Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted payments could still face substantial delays.
What you should know
The shutdown, now one of the longest in US history, threatens vital food and welfare programs.
Millions relying on SNAP and other aid may receive only half their benefits, highlighting the growing toll of political gridlock on America’s most vulnerable citizens.
