The Trump administration has announced it will reduce food aid for over 42 million Americans as the ongoing government shutdown shows no signs of resolution — edging closer to becoming the longest in U.S. history.
According to a court filing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, will receive only half their usual monthly benefits. The decision comes after the government tapped into $5.25 billion in emergency funds to keep the program running amid the funding freeze.
Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ordered the administration to use contingency funds to issue partial payments, as SNAP — which costs roughly $8 billion monthly — has been left unfunded since the shutdown began on October 1.
USDA officials said states would receive further guidance by Monday on distributing the reduced benefits.
President Donald Trump said his administration had sought legal advice from federal courts on how to move money around to support the food assistance program. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN that payments could resume as early as Wednesday, pending legal clarification.
Half of U.S. states, along with Washington, D.C., have sued the administration over the funding freeze, arguing that they are legally obligated to maintain SNAP operations. Some have pledged to use state funds to cover the shortfall temporarily.
SNAP provides low-income families with debit cards for grocery purchases. On average, a family of four receives about $715 per month — or less than $6 per person per day.
