As the United States faces one of its lengthiest government shutdowns in recent history, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which supports more than 42 million Americans is now under immediate threat. Despite holding billions in reserve, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has stated it will not use its contingency fund to distribute November benefits if funding is not restored.
The agency’s decision has triggered alarm among state governments, anti-hunger advocates, and Democratic lawmakers, who argue the administration is neglecting its legal and moral obligations. Meanwhile, Republican officials continue to deflect responsibility, blaming the deadlock on opposition to stopgap funding bills.
USDA Insists Contingency Funds Are Legally Off-Limits
According to a memo obtained by CNN, POLITICO, and the Associated Press, the USDA maintains that its $5 to $6 billion contingency reserve cannot legally be used to pay regular SNAP benefits. These funds, the department argues, are specifically earmarked for emergency supplementation, such as natural disaster relief, not routine distribution.
“The contingency fund is not available to support FY 2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists,” the USDA memo states. The agency clarified that contingency funds may only be used when appropriations are active but insufficient, which is not the case during a shutdown.
The memo further instructs states not to issue November benefits until further notice and warns they will not be reimbursed if they cover costs themselves. This guidance directly contradicts past shutdown responses, such as in 2019, when a workaround allowed February SNAP payments to be processed despite a lapse in funding.
Political Standoff Puts Millions at Risk of Hunger
The standoff in Capitol Hill has intensified in recent days, as Democratic leaders demand a full extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies before supporting a stopgap measure. In contrast, Republican lawmakers and the White House accuse Democrats of holding critical aid hostage.
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters, insisted “everybody is going to be in good shape,” though he provided no clarification on how SNAP benefits would be secured. Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed that benefits will expire by the end of October without congressional intervention.
Democrats argue that contingency funds should be used, citing the USDA’s own shutdown operation plans, which previously acknowledged that SNAP operations were intended to continue during lapses. Sharon Parrott, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, called the USDA’s refusal “unequivocally false” and “legally indefensible.”
Several states, including Virginia and Hawaii, have pledged to use limited emergency resources to extend support, but such measures are temporary and unsustainable. Others, like Arkansas, have advised residents to turn to food pantries or community aid.
