Billions remain idle as millions risk losing nutrition assistance during shutdown.
The Trump administration has told a federal court that it cannot legally tap billions of dollars in reserve accounts to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program running. Officials acknowledged that the Department of Agriculture holds about $5 billion in emergency reserves but insisted that the funds are earmarked for disasters and cannot cover the roughly $9 billion required to fund monthly food aid. The admission comes as a government shutdown threatens to interrupt benefits for tens of millions of Americans who rely on SNAP to afford groceries.
States Push Back in Court
More than twenty states have filed lawsuits pressing the administration to unlock the contingency funds and continue payments. In court arguments, state attorneys accused federal officials of hiding behind technicalities while families face hunger. Judges questioned the government’s reading of the law, noting that the funds were designed to protect the most vulnerable in times of crisis. The Justice Department countered that using the money outside its defined purpose would breach federal spending rules.
Millions Facing Uncertain Future
If the standoff continues, food assistance could be suspended at the start of November, leaving around 42 million Americans without benefits. State officials say they lack the capacity to replace the federal aid, warning of mounting pressure on food banks and local charities. Anti-hunger advocates argue that the unspent reserves demonstrate a failure of priorities, saying the government has the means to prevent hardship but refuses to act.
