Trump administration will partially fund SNAP for November
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Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
Editor's note: On Tuesday, President Trump said food benefits will only get paid once the shutdown ends. Read more here.
The Trump administration announced Monday that it plans to partially fund SNAP benefits for the rest of November, but it's unclear what will happen after that.
Why it matters: Up to 42 million Americans, and nearly 2 million in Illinois, didn't receive their benefits on the first of the month, but the administration's new plan aims to make sure some amount of money hits recipients' pocketbooks.
Context: As the government shutdown stretches on, participants of the federal SNAP program have been in panic mode, worried about their ability to purchase food for themselves and their families.
- Food banks have sounded the alarm on increased demand at a time when they're already strapped serving federal workers who haven't received a paycheck.
Catch up quick: Two federal judges ruled Friday that the administration had to fund the 61-year-old program and gave Trump until Monday to submit a plan for how the USDA planned to distribute funds.
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a Monday filing that the "U.S. Department of Agriculture is complying with the Court's order and will fulfill its obligation to expend the full amount of SNAP contingency funds today."
- The filing noted that the changes states have to implement to roll out reduced benefits could "take anywhere from a few weeks to up to several months."
- The USDA referred Axios to Rollins' Monday evening X post, where she said "FULL benefits can get to families without delay" once the government reopens.
Reality check: The Illinois Department of Human Services said in a statement to Axios that the Trump administration's "decision to fund reduced benefits will make it significantly more complicated for states to issue the funds, which will delay November SNAP benefits to households by days or weeks."
- IDHS will update customers when we receive more information on the timing of benefit delivery.
The intrigue: The legal fights center on the administration's position that it couldn't fund SNAP with contingency money during the government shutdown, even though every previous administration — including Trump's in his first term — has.
- Democrats accused Trump of "weaponizing hunger" to get the left to acquiesce to Republicans' plan to reopen the government.
The fine print: The administration determined that it can't fund SNAP using Child Nutrition funds, as doing so would wipe out that account.
- Instead, November SNAP benefits will be funded by the remaining $4.65 billion in contingency funds, which will cover "50% of eligible households' current allotments."
- States must continue to accept program applications and evaluate if applicants meet eligibility requirements.
- Any funds carried over from previous months can be used.
State of play: In Chicago, several restaurants have stepped up to offer free or discounted meals, no questions asked, including Manny's Deli, Kale My Name and Soul Food Lounge, among others.
- Greater Chicago Food Depository has a map of Chicago area food pantries.
- Eligible Chicago Public School students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch.
What's next: New eligibility and work requirements for SNAP participants go into effect on Dec. 1.