The Trump administration has decided not to tap into roughly $5 billion in emergency contingency funds to maintain food stamp benefits for approximately 42 million Americans starting November 1, as the government shutdown continues into its fourth week. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that “contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits,” marking the first time in U.S. history that a president has cut off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during a government shutdown.
The decision contradicts the USDA’s own September 30 contingency plan, which had stated that “Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds” specifically for situations where funding is insufficient.
The USDA’s two-page memo justifies the decision by asserting the contingency fund is reserved for natural disasters such as “hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods”. However, this interpretation has been widely disputed by Democrats and advocacy groups who argue the administration is legally obligated to use these funds, which Congress appropriated precisely for situations when SNAP funding is insufficient.
While the Trump administration claims it cannot access emergency funds for food assistance to millions of struggling Americans, it has managed to find resources for several other priorities during the shutdown:
Argentina Financial Support: The Trump administration authorized a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina’s central bank, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announcing plans for an additional $20 billion facility, bringing the total bailout to $40 billion.
Trump DOJ Payment: President Trump is seeking $230 million from his own Department of Justice as compensation for federal investigations into his conduct.
Military Pay Through Fund Reallocation: The administration reallocated approximately $8 billion from military research and development funds to cover active-duty military pay for October 15, bypassing normal congressional appropriations processes. Additionally, Trump announced that an unnamed private donor—described as “a big supporter of mine”—contributed $130 million to help cover military payroll gaps.
WIC Funding Through Tariff Revenue: The administration transferred $300 million in tariff revenue to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to keep it funded through October, demonstrating the ability to reallocate funds for nutrition programs when politically expedient.
SNAP supports one in eight Americans, providing an average monthly benefit of $188 per enrollee, or about $715 for a typical family of four, translating to under $6 per person per day. The program is projected to cost approximately $8 billion in November, yet the USDA refuses to use the $5 billion contingency fund that could cover nearly two-thirds of the month’s benefits.
States have warned they lack sufficient funds to cover the shortfall themselves, and the USDA has indicated that states using their own resources will not be reimbursed.
Democratic lawmakers and 23 state attorneys general have demanded answers from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, with Attorney General Kris Mayes of Arizona stating: “As Donald Trump demolishes portions of the White House to build his golden ballroom, families all across Arizona are about to go hungry because of the incompetence and failure of leadership in Washington.” According to Trump, the ballroom will be privately funded.
The USDA updated its website on October 26 with a statement declaring “Bottom line, the well has run dry” and blaming Senate Democrats for voting against funding. However, the shutdown stems from a stalemate over extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. Democrats did vote against Republican funding proposals, but those proposals excluded ACA subsidies that Democrats consider non-negotiable. This is a dispute about what should be included in funding, not whether to fund the government at all.
