Trump Administration Implements Emergency Food Aid Amid Shutdown

Thu Dec 11 2025 00:02:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In the face of an escalating government shutdown, the Trump administration announces emergency funding to provide partial food stamp benefits to millions of Americans.

With the U.S. government shutdown entering an unprecedented duration, over 42 million Americans who rely on food assistance will receive only half of their usual monthly allotment. The USDA will utilize emergency funds as federal judges mandate the continuation of at least partial payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The funding uncertainty arises from the ongoing government impasse that began on October 1, with judges ruling that the Trump administration could access $5.25 billion in emergency resources to support the program.

US President Donald Trump's administration has announced a decision to provide reduced food aid to more than 42 million Americans, as the ongoing government shutdown approaches a landmark length without a resolution. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicated in a court filing that individuals enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as food stamps, will receive only half of their typical monthly benefits due to the government tapping into emergency funds.

This course of action comes amid heightened urgency, as federal judges stipulated that the Trump administration had until Monday to present a strategy for the distribution of SNAP benefits, which have been affected by the more than month-long government shutdown.

While states individually manage the distribution of the benefits, funding is contingent upon federal allocations, which have been stalled since the shutdown commenced on October 1. States are expected to receive detailed guidance on managing the diminished funds by the end of Monday.

Emergency measures emerged after federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled that the USDA must deploy $5.25 billion in emergency funds to facilitate at least partial payments for the SNAP system, which collectively costs around $8 billion each month.

Previously, the USDA had declared that food assistance disbursements would cease from November 1 due to a lack of funding, stating, The well has run dry. This directive faced legal challenges from numerous states and entities, arguing they were legally obligated to sustain the program within their jurisdictions. Some states have indicated plans to personally allocate funds for SNAP benefits, providing a safety net for low-income families reliant on assistance to purchase groceries.

On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned in a CNN interview that the administration was awaiting court instructions on how to reallocate funds for SNAP payments, acknowledging delays in executing these payments. There's a process that has to be followed. So, we've got to figure out what the process is, said Bessent.

Due to the reliance on these benefits, a family of four typically receives around $715 a month, equating to less than $6 for each member each day. As the impasse continues, millions of Americans are navigating uncertainty regarding their food security.