With the outlook for SNAP benefits uncertain, food banks are warning of a crisis

With the outlook for SNAP benefits uncertain, food banks are warning of a crisis

Briefly

"A federal judge in Rhode Island on Friday ordered the White House to use contingency funds to pay for those benefits. But it was unclear how that decision would correspond with a separate decision by a judge in Massachusetts telling the administration it had until "no later than Monday" to come up with a way to use emergency funds to pay for aid."

"The impasse over funding the government means that the nearly 1 in 8 U.S. residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, to buy groceries may be facing at least a temporary lapse in benefits. Following Friday's decisions, President Trump said he had directed government lawyers to find a way to pay for SNAP, and that he instructed them to seek further clarity on the rulings."

"He cautioned, however, that even with immediate guidance, benefits "will unfortunately be delayed while States get the money out." SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is the country's largest anti-hunger program. A coalition of Democratic governors and attorneys general are suing the federal government to keep the payments flowing, arguing the benefits cannot legally be cut off. The Trump administration says it's not legal to extend the benefits using emergency funds though the administration extended benefits during a shutdown in the first term."