Our nation’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) finds itself at a critical crossroads. Its benefits are unclear — which could affect over 42 million Americans, including 16 million children. The program is scheduled to STOP on Saturday, November 1. This has created confusion and worry among beneficiaries who rely on these resources for their basic nutritional requirements.
Every month, these SNAP benefits are automatically loaded onto Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. This provides recipients with greater access to healthy, more nutritious food. Even though benefits go on hold, people who currently receive benefits should not get rid of their EBT cards. For any remaining balance, they will continue to work through the month of November. People can continue to spend whatever balance remains on their cards. This provides them the ability to reach out for food in a safe, secure manner during this unprecedented time.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the SNAP program, has faced intense scrutiny amid recent legal challenges. A federal judge in Boston ruled that the Trump administration’s attempts to suspend SNAP funding were “unlawful.” At the same time, another federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the administration to keep paying those benefits in the meantime. The administration needs to let the court know by Monday, November 3. They must quickly respond and vote to permit the issuance of lower-than-normal benefits for the following month.
With the shutdown looming, nonprofit organizations and community members are mobilizing to support those affected by the expected pause in SNAP benefits. Food banks or donation drives are popping up all over. Their goal is to help people and families currently facing significant difficulty paying for food. Local agencies are pleading with SNAP recipients to contact them for assistance as they figure things out and find themselves facing the most difficult winter yet.
Significantly, despite the temporary halt to benefits, SNAP recipients will still be able to apply for support throughout the duration. This new option lets newly eligible people to start looking for help through SNAP. It keeps them whole, including through the current stopgap funding period.
