Overview
- The USDA says it will not issue November SNAP payments without new appropriations, warning that roughly 42 million people could miss benefits starting Saturday.
- A coalition of more than two dozen states and Washington, D.C., argued in a Boston federal court that USDA must use contingency reserves, with Judge Indira Talwani signaling a ruling later today and suggesting partial funding could be considered.
- New York declared a food emergency and added $65 million for food banks, while Oregon pledged $5 million, Virginia prepared to cover up to one month of benefits, and states like New Mexico ($30 million), Vermont ($6.3 million) and Louisiana ($150 million) announced limited measures.
- USDA maintains that about $5 billion in contingency funds are restricted to unforeseen disasters and has warned states they may not be reimbursed, as officials in places like Indiana and Tennessee note they cannot load state dollars onto federal EBT cards.
- Food banks report mounting strain, Pennsylvania says it cannot replace federal aid for its 2 million recipients, and retailers brace for losses as the shutdown stalemate leaves November SNAP funding unresolved.