United States: White House says it cannot use contingency funds for SNAP in November, leaving food aid at risk

Washington — President Donald Trump's administration rejected the idea of using about $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the SNAP food aid program flowing in November, according to a Department of Agriculture memo that surfaced Friday, amid the federal government shutdown that began October 1.

The two-page document states that contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, which helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries. The memo was obtained by The Associated Press and first reported by Axios.

According to the document, the contingency fund is reserved for situations such as helping people in disaster areas, citing Tropical Storm Melissa, which could become a major hurricane in the coming days, as an example. It also warns that states temporarily covering the cost of November benefits will not be reimbursed.

Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups had urged the administration to use the fund to pay at least part of November's benefits. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Friday that the administration has the resources to ensure no American goes hungry on November 1, and a letter signed by 214 House Democrats asked Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to use the fund to cover most of the benefits.

The administration, meanwhile, blames the shutdown and argues that November benefits would be paid on time if congressional Democrats were not blocking funding. In the meantime, states such as Louisiana, Vermont and Virginia pledged Thursday to keep aid flowing with their own funds, while others, such as Arkansas, are already advising recipients to identify food pantries and other available help.

Photo: AP

Source: Associated Press