U.S. President Donald Trump. Submit|Picture Credit: Reuters
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The Trump administration is declining the concept of utilizing approximately $ 5 billion in contingency funds to keep food help streaming into November in the middle of the federal government shutdown, according to a Department of Agriculture memo that appeared Friday (October 24, 2025). States briefly covering the expense of advantages next month will not be repaid, the memo states.
Democratic legislators and numerous advocacy groups have actually been getting in touch with the administration to utilize the contingency fund to offer partial advantages into November though the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, typically described as SNAP.
The two-page file states that “contingency funds are not lawfully readily available to cover routine advantages.” The possibility of SNAP advantages going out as an outcome of the shutdown has actually ended up being a significant issue in the States. Legislators from both political celebrations are blaming the other for the difficulty that would occur. The program assists about 1 in 8 Americans purchase groceries.
The file mentions that the contingency fund is booked for such things as assisting people in hot spot. It pointed out Tropical Storm Melissa, which might end up being a significant typhoon in the coming days, as an example of why it’s essential to have funds offered to activate rapidly in case of a catastrophe. The file was gotten by The Associated Press and was initially reported by Axios.
The file blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown that started Oct. 1 and specifies that November SNAP advantages would be paid on time “if not for Congressional Democrats obstructing federal government financing.” Home Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries previously Friday informed press reporters the administration has the resources to make sure than not a single American goes starving on Nov. 1. He implicated Republicans of “attempting to weaponize cravings” and called it unconscionable.
Democrats in the House and Senate have actually composed Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins asking for that she utilize the contingency fund to cover the bulk of November advantages.
“Choosing not to make sure SNAP advantages reach those in requirement this November would be a gross dereliction of your obligations to the American individuals,” stated a letter sent out Friday by 214 House Democrats.
The most recent department assistance on the contingency fund appears to contrast in some aspects with the department’s 55-page prepare for operations in case of a shutdown. That strategy specified that it’s apparent Congress has actually meant for SNAP operations to continue because the program has actually been offered with multi-year contingency funds to cover state administrative expenditures and to spend for individual advantages ought to a financing lapse take place in the middle of the.
The department assistance that emerged Friday states the contingency fund is not readily available to support the existing budget plan year’s advantages due to the fact that “the appropriations for routine advantages no longer exists.”
The shutdown started when a short-term step to money the federal government stopped working to advance in the Senate. The existing deadlock is now the second-longest on record. The administration took actions leading up to the shutdown to make sure SNAP advantages were paid in October, with states and legislators searching for assistance from the administration for what would take place next month.
The SNAP program is administered by the states. Authorities in Louisiana, Vermont and Virginia vowed Thursday to keep food help streaming to receivers in their states, even if the federal program is stalled due to the fact that of the shutdown. Other states have actually checked out utilizing their own funds to prop up the program however have actually faced technical obstructions.
Some states have actually been informing SNAP receivers to be all set for the advantages to stop. Arkansas, for instance, is recommending receivers to recognize food kitchens and other groups that may be able to assist, and to ask family and friends for help.