Trump has reversed his Administration’s policy and is now saying that SNAP benefits will not go out until the government reopens pic.twitter.com/QRhjxoUs0e
— The Take Politics (@TheTakePolitics) November 4, 2025
Washington — The White House clarified Tuesday that the Trump administration is complying with a federal court order that requires it to tap into a contingency fund to provide food benefits to tens of millions of Americans after President Trump said the aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will go out only when Democrats vote to end the ongoing government shutdown.
The reassurance from the White House came after the president wrote in a post on Truth Social that SNAP benefits “will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!”
Mr. Trump’s comment raised questions as to whether the administration would abide by a Rhode Island judge’s order to use reserve funds to issue federal food benefits to Americans enrolled in SNAP. Administration lawyers told the court Monday that it would tap into the contingency pot to issue reduced food stamp payments for November. The Justice Department said in a filing that the Department of Agriculture would provide states with information necessary for calculating the benefits due to each eligible household, which would allow states to then begin disbursements.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on X that her agency sent that guidance to states Tuesday morning, but warned it would be a “cumbersome process” that could result in a weeks-long delay in food stamp payments going out recipients.
“If the government opens, families get their FULL benefit much more quickly,” she wrote.
MORE:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-snap-food-stamps-government-shutdown/
President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to withhold critical food aid until the government shutdown is over, despite his administration’s assertion to a court earlier this week that it would continue funding partial benefits.
MORE:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-threatens-withhold-snap-benefits-175951815.html
USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse. I’m aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email pic.twitter.com/E0vZ4hvrfY
— Catherine Rampell (@crampell) November 2, 2025
You must offer eligible foods at the same prices and on the same terms and conditions to SNAP-EBT customers as to any other customer… Offering discounts or services only to SNAP-paying customers is a SNAP violation.
MORE:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/usda-important-message-grocery-stores-174434705.html