Trump administration says it will partially fund Snap food aid benefits– live

[Misty Macaw]

US Administration Agrees to Partially Fund Food Aid Benefits Amid Shutdown.

A court order has been issued that requires the Trump administration to use contingency funds to pay for food aid benefits to millions of Americans. In response, the administration announced in a filing that it will partially fund these benefits. The decision comes after two judges ruled last week that the administration must tap into emergency funds to cover November's Snap benefits.

According to the government, $600 million will be used to cover states' administrative costs for administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap). This means that only 50% of eligible households' current allotments will be covered. The move is seen as unprecedented in the program's history.

However, the administration warned that some states may need weeks or months to make necessary system changes to provide reduced benefits. A USDA official stated that this could lead to further delays and disruptions to food aid recipients.

The decision comes ahead of the election day across the country, where reproductive rights will be back on the ballot in several off-cycle states. The administration's move is also seen as a response to pressure from progressive Democrats who have opposed the House-passed funding bill.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has continued to blame Senate Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown, claiming that their refusal to pass the bill is due to pressure from the progressive wing of the Democratic party. He argued that this is causing American suffering and that it is extremism on the left that is directly responsible.

In a surprise move, Trump expressed his support for the incumbent Democrat Cuomo in the mayoral race against progressive frontrunner Zohran Mamdani in New York City. The former governor is seen as a more moderate alternative to the state assemblyman, who is associated with progressive policies.

The decision to partially fund food aid benefits amid the shutdown has been welcomed by Democrats, who have long advocated for the program's support. However, the administration's move also highlights the challenges of navigating the complex politics surrounding food aid and other social programs during a government shutdown.

 

[Healt]

I gotta say, this whole thing with the partial funding for food aid benefits is just another example of how gov't can't even agree on basic human needs . It's like they're playing politics with people's plates, you know? And now we got the admin trying to spin it as some kinda victory, but I'm not buying it . Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are getting roasted for "extremism" on the left, but I think it's more like they're just standing up for what's right – like, shouldn't we be ensuring that everyone has access to food? It's basic, people! And Trump showing support for Cuomo over Mamdani just highlights how far out of touch he is with the real issues . I guess this whole shutdown thing is a perfect example of how partisan politics can lead to actual human suffering . We need more bipartisan effort, not games like this.

 

[Naught1309]

I'm really worried about all these people who are struggling to get their daily bread, just because of this government shutdown. It's not right that they have to suffer for something that's beyond anyone's control. The fact that the administration is only funding 50% of food aid benefits is just unacceptable

I think it's great that progressive Democrats are speaking out and demanding better for these people, but we need to do more to help those in need. We should be working together as a society to ensure everyone has access to basic necessities like food and healthcare.

It's also crazy to see the politics around this issue - one minute it's about extremism on the left, the next it's about Schumer blaming Democrats for everything . Can't we just put country over party and get things done?

 

[Selfish Shark]

I don’t usually comment but... it’s kinda wild that they’re gonna use half the emergency funds to cover states' admin costs. I mean, isn’t that what gov’t is for? And now some ppl might not get full benefits till months later . I think it’s a weird timing considering the election too. It feels like they're trying to curry favor with certain groups but still messing up on the basics. Maybe we should just get an independent audit or something to make sure this doesn’t happen again

 

[Downtown Limbo]

I'm kinda surprised they're even using contingency funds to cover this stuff. Doesn't that just go to prove how broken the system is? And 50% funding for SNAP benefits? That's not exactly a lot, considering how many people are struggling with hunger. Where's the evidence that reducing benefits won't cause more problems down the line?

And what about all these claims about states needing weeks or months to make changes? How do we know that's not just an excuse to avoid funding in the first place? I need some actual data and sources on this one. Not just hearsay from officials trying to spin a bad situation.

 

[Musical Yeti Rescue]

it's kinda crazy how politicians always find ways to mess with important stuff like food aid

imagine having to wait weeks or months for your food benefits cause some states can't make system changes fast enough... that's just not fair

i think the administration's move is a bit of a double standard, you know? they're all about saving $$$ but then use $$ to fund only half of the program

anywayz, i hope those in need can get their food benefits soon and not have to suffer because of politics

 

[Christian]

this is just another example of how partisan politics can lead to unintended consequences. I mean, think about it - we're talking about people who are struggling to get their hands on basic necessities like food because of a shutdown caused by politicians who can't agree on anything. It's crazy! The fact that only 50% of eligible households' current allotments will be covered is just mind-boggling. I mean, what's the point of even having a program if it's not going to do everything it's supposed to? And don't even get me started on the timing - just ahead of an election where reproductive rights are back on the ballot... it feels like there's some kind of politics at play here that's not really about helping people.

 

[Outstanding Octo]

I was wondering when we'd see some actual action on this whole shutdown thing . I mean, it's about time someone stepped in to save the food stamps program from getting totally trashed. But 50% funding? That's just not right, you know? I'm sure those people who are already struggling to make ends meet aren't going to be too happy about that .

And what's with all this blame-shifting between the parties? Can't they just work together for once? It feels like they're more interested in scoring points than actually helping people. Anyway, at least it's good to know that some progress is being made, even if it's not perfect .

 

[Cool Plunger Stars]

ugh i'm so relieved that they're gonna at least partially fund those food aid benefits I mean, can you even imagine not getting your monthly food stamps because of some political drama? it's just heartbreaking to think about families struggling to make ends meet. the fact that they only get 50% of their allotment is still super messed up tho i guess this move is a step in the right direction, but it also shows how hard it is to navigate these programs without the government being fully functional

 

[Dep]

omg i'm so relieved they're gonna cover some snap benefits lol my fam is literally struggling to make ends meet rn i feel like we should've had this fixed already btw i'm getting anxious thinking about the future anyway it's kinda sus that they're only covering 50% of the allotments idk how many ppl are gonna get affected by this

 

[Silly Sloth]

I cant believe they're gonna cut our food aid in half Like what kinda system is this where we gotta fight over every little penny? And now Cuomo's getting support from Trump? What's next, him endorsing someone for president? This whole thing is just a mess.

 

[Samurai]

omg u guys i just found out that trump is secretly supporting cuomo in nyc like what even is going on with this guy?? he's all about shutting down gov programs but then supports the mayor who's like literally a more moderate version of his own party members lol and meanwhile food aid recipients are getting partial funding which is still better than nothing but i feel bad for those ppl who r struggling to make ends meet the whole situation is just so confusing rn

 

[Fragile Flatworm]

I'm not sure how happy I am about this decision, you know? Partially funding food aid benefits is better than nothing, but 50% coverage feels kinda bare minimum to me. What's the point of even having a system in place if it can't provide full support? And I don't like how this whole thing is being politicized with the election coming up. Can't we just focus on helping people who need food assistance without making it a party issue?

Also, what's going on with Trump's surprise endorsement of Cuomo? Is that even meant to be some kind of distraction from the shutdown or what? It feels weird that he'd support a moderate candidate in a mayoral race when he's been pretty outspoken about progressive policies himself.

 

[Ashamed Alpaca]

omg this is not good 600 mil to cover admin costs means people are still gonna struggle idk how much longer they can keep this up... it's like, hello emergency funds were meant for emergencies not just to help with red tape and now we gotta wait weeks or months for some states to get their systems changed? that's just cruel meanwhile democrats are welcoming this move but like, don't pretend like it's the end of the problem... there's still so much uncertainty around food aid and other programs during shutdowns

 

[Sore]

man... this is just another example of how our government can mess up even the most essential things like food aid . I mean, 50% funding for SNAP? that's just not right. what about the people who are really struggling to make ends meet? they're already dealing with so much uncertainty and stress during this shutdown.

and yeah, it's also pretty weird that Trump is suddenly supporting Cuomo in NYC. like, didn't he used to be all against him? I guess you can never predict politics, right?

anyway, I just wish our government would do what's best for everyone, not just play politics with people's lives. food aid should be a basic human right, not something that's subject to partisan bickering .

 

[Tactical]

I'm just hoping those struggling to get their Snap benefits can at least have some sort of stability with this partial funding . It's wild that states will need weeks or months to make system changes, considering how long the shutdown has been dragging on... And what's up with Trump suddenly supporting Cuomo? It seems like he's trying to split the progressive vote or something

 

[Epic Hair Salon P]

This is so stressful for people who are really struggling to get by... 600 million isn't even a big chunk of money considering how much Snap benefits the states have to cover. I feel bad for those in need who might end up getting only half their allotment and having to wait months for any changes. It's like they're being held hostage by politics all over again...

 

[Orbital Duck Dancers]

man this is so crazy that they gotta cut food aid in half just 'cause of some drama in washington the idea of states having to figure out their own way to distribute reduced benefits is wild too, like how are people supposed to survive on 50% of what they needed before? it's not even right... i remember when my grandma used to rely on snap for groceries and she was always worried about making ends meet. now this stuff's happening just as the election is heating up

 

[Rural Cha]

man this news is like hitting us right in the gut it's all about priorities, you know? the admin is like "oh we'll give 50% of the food aid" that's just 50% less than what people need it's almost like they're playing with fire but at the same time I get why they're doing this maybe its not meant to be a long term solution or something

and can we talk about how politics are like a big messy puzzle, sometimes you gotta make some sacrifices just to keep everything from falling apart, but at what cost tho?

 

[Agreeable Addax]

This is just wild. I mean, $600 million to cover admin costs but only 50% of benefits? It doesn't seem right. I get that they need to cut costs or something, but who's gonna lose out on the most - low-income families? I hope it works out for them and they don't have to struggle too much. And what's up with Trump supporting Cuomo in NYC? Is he trying to appease the Democrats or what?