Maeve Bidonde, Staff Writer
As the government shutdown continues, families who rely on SNAP benefits to eat are going to lose those benefits in November. SNAP is an acronym that stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as food stamps. According to NPR, the Trump Administration warned SNAP-reliant families that their debit-like EBT cards would not be refilled and that SNAP would run out of money come November 1st.
After that warning, two federal judges ordered the Trump Administration to use emergency funding to preserve the benefits, but it remains unknown how much assistance they’ll get and when that assistance will arrive. Currently, states are trying to determine what they can offer to fill in the gap that SNAP will leave.
Several Democratic states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for its decision to suspend SNAP benefits. The suit is being filed by over 24 Democratic attorney generals and governors.
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency and directed $100 million, along with directing students in a state service program to help out at food banks. New York City has allocated an additional $15 million towards local food pantries.
According to NBC News, Trump posted on Truth Social about the issue on Friday evening, saying, “I instructed our lawyers to ask the court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible.” The SNAP program has not lapsed in previous shutdowns, and the possible cutoff has brought back concerns about the daily struggle most Americans face when they need to make ends meet.
In order to receive SNAP benefits, the recipients must make 130% below the poverty line or $35,000 a year for a family of three. At a minimum, 12% of the population relies on SNAP benefits, including elderly and disabled people. The budget at the center of the shutdown includes $186 billion in cuts to SNAP programs spanning the next decade, making it the largest cuts in the program’s history.
According to NBC News, Claire Neal, the CEO of MANNA FoodBank said that “We are already seeing the highest need that we’ve ever seen in our 42-year history” she continued by saying “There is really staggering need in our area, and then you layer on top of it the crisis of the shutdown and what it will mean to not have SNAP benefits.” MANNA FoodBank serves the Western North Carolina community.
The disruption in benefits may impact the holidays for families who rely on SNAP programs. One mother, Carmen Hernandez, a preschool teacher from Wisconsin, is prepared to use the little money she saved up for Christmas presents for her children, ages 17-11, on food if her benefits lapse. “Any type of Christmas celebration will not look the same because I’m having to make sure that food comes first for these guys. It’s hard being a parent and having your kids see you struggle.” Hernandez tells NBC News.
State governments and the federal government are trying to find a way to fund SNAP benefits, but those temporary fixes may not be as long-term as needed.
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