USDA Adjusts November SNAP Benefits Amid Court Rulings and Government Shutdown

CHICAGO, IL — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Wednesday that food stamp recipients will receive reduced benefits this November due to a government shutdown and judicial orders. The USDA has revised its guidance, deciding to cut the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit by 35%, down from an initial proposal of 50%.

This decision comes amid ongoing legal scrutiny and a need to fund SNAP during a prolonged government shutdown that began on October 1. “USDA performed further analysis and determined that the maximum allotments need only be reduced by 35% to deplete the SNAP contingency fund,” said Patrick Penn, a USDA official, in a court filing.

The updated approach follows scrutiny from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which previously claimed that a 43% reduction would be sufficient. USDA plans to deploy about $4.65 billion from the contingency fund to aid recipients this month.

However, this change means many enrollees will receive less than 65% of their usual SNAP aid. For households with any income, the benefit calculation could further limit assistance, leading to an average cut of up to 61%. Nearly 5 million people could find themselves without any assistance this month, according to earlier analysis.

In addition to these cuts, two federal judges have required the USDA to use contingency funds responsibly, giving the agency the option to access other financial resources to fully fund benefits. The USDA declined this option, stating it would jeopardize other crucial nutrition programs.

The timeline for when recipients will see their reduced benefits varies by state, as many must update their payment systems. For example, in North Carolina and Massachusetts, benefits should be available next week, while Pennsylvania has indicated significant delays could occur due to complexity in processing changes.

Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Human Services, Valerie Arkoosh, expressed concern over the chosen method for issuing partial benefits, stating it would take around 10,000 hours and could increase errors in benefit distributions.

As recipients await their reduced funds, some community organizations and local businesses are stepping in to provide support. In Chicago, Manny’s Deli has begun offering free meals to SNAP recipients amid widespread concern over food insecurity.

The agricultural court system continues to closely monitor the USDA’s actions regarding SNAP management. Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island has set a hearing for Thursday regarding the ongoing litigation and the USDA’s handling of the situation.