States stepping in before federal shutdown impacts food aid for millions of Americans
22 million US households receive SNAP benefits. Now some states are working to reallocate funds to ensure that people still receive benefits. In Louisiana, Vermont, and Virginia, lawmakers have pledged to backfill food aid. Additional funding is planned in New Hampshire, California, New Mexico, Connecticut, and New York. California’s Governor Gavin Newsom is making $80 million available for food banks and sending the National Guard in to staff them. In Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker is planning to support the state’s food pantries. The US Department of Agriculture said states will not be reimbursed for covering these benefits. Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walsh also announced they’re using *** contingency fund to add $4 million to food banks across the state to ease part of the burden. This will be *** bridge. I want to be very clear. It will not make up and backfill everything that is. Drop off starting on Saturday. We do not have that capacity. The best way for SNAP benefits to be paid on time is for the Democrats to end their shutdown, and that could happen right now if they would show some spine. The average monthly payment someone on Snap receives is $187 per person. Most recipients are at or below the poverty level on Capitol Hill. I’m Rachel Herzheimer.
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States stepping in before federal shutdown impacts food aid for millions of Americans
As the government shutdown continues, states are working to provide food assistance to millions of Americans who rely on SNAP benefits.
Updated: 10:16 AM EDT Oct 28, 2025
Millions of Americans may face challenges in buying food for their families as the government shutdown continues, with no new federal funds expected to support SNAP benefits. The Trump administration has stated it will not use $5 billion in contingency money to continue providing federal cash for food, explaining that the reserve is limited to expenses like disaster relief.Twenty-two million U.S. households receive SNAP benefits, and some states are working to reallocate funds to ensure people receive assistance. In Louisiana, Vermont and Virginia, lawmakers have pledged to backfill food aid. Additional funding is planned in New Hampshire, California, New Mexico, Connecticut and New York. California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom is making $80 million available for food banks and sending the National Guard to staff them. In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker is planning to support the state’s food pantries as well.The U.S. Department of Agriculture has said states will not be reimbursed for covering these benefits. Minnesota’s Gov. Tim Walz announced they are using a contingency fund to add $4 million to food banks across the state to ease part of the burden. “This will be a bridge. I want to be very clear, it will not make up and backfill everything that is going to drop off starting on Saturday. We do not have that capacity,” Walz said.House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson said, “The best way for SNAP benefits to be paid on time is for the Democrats to end their shutdown and that can happen right now if they would show some spine.”The average monthly payment someone on SNAP receives is $187 per person, and most recipients have incomes at or below the poverty level.Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:
Millions of Americans may face challenges in buying food for their families as the government shutdown continues, with no new federal funds expected to support SNAP benefits.
The Trump administration has stated it will not use $5 billion in contingency money to continue providing federal cash for food, explaining that the reserve is limited to expenses like disaster relief.
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Twenty-two million U.S. households receive SNAP benefits, and some states are working to reallocate funds to ensure people receive assistance.
In Louisiana, Vermont and Virginia, lawmakers have pledged to backfill food aid.
Additional funding is planned in New Hampshire, California, New Mexico, Connecticut and New York.
California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom is making $80 million available for food banks and sending the National Guard to staff them.
In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker is planning to support the state’s food pantries as well.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has said states will not be reimbursed for covering these benefits.
Minnesota’s Gov. Tim Walz announced they are using a contingency fund to add $4 million to food banks across the state to ease part of the burden.
“This will be a bridge. I want to be very clear, it will not make up and backfill everything that is going to drop off starting on Saturday. We do not have that capacity,” Walz said.
House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson said, “The best way for SNAP benefits to be paid on time is for the Democrats to end their shutdown and that can happen right now if they would show some spine.”
The average monthly payment someone on SNAP receives is $187 per person, and most recipients have incomes at or below the poverty level.
Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau: