SNAP benefits: These states will partially fund food stamps amid shutdown

The Brief​

• • Some states are taking action to protect food assistance as the federal government plans to suspend SNAP payments starting Saturday.
  • The Trump administration says food stamp payments will be suspended on Nov. 1 because of the ongoing government shutdown.
  • Officials in 25 states filed a lawsuit to try to force the administration to continue payments. A ruling is expected late Thursday.

Payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could be suspended starting Saturday if the government shutdown continues or a judge doesn’t step in to stop the cuts.

The program, which costs around $8 billion a month and serves about 1 in 8 Americans, is a major piece of the nation’s social safety net. It would be the first time in the program’s history that payments would be suspended.

Ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline, some states are taking action to protect food assistance for their most vulnerable residents.

Why are SNAP payments being suspended?​

What they're saying:

The Trump administration said it’s not allowed to use a contingency fund with about $5 billion in it for the program, despite an earlier plan that would have tapped the money to keep SNAP running amid the shutdown.

The other side:

Democratic state attorneys general or governors from 25 states, as well as the District of Columbia — filed a lawsuit challenging the suspension of payments. They argue that not only could that contingency money be used, it must be. They also said a separate fund with around $23 billion could be tapped.

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eleos1954 said:

In my area there are MANY organizations and businesses that are having food drives and making sure the food banks are stocked.

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Same here.