Nutrition Crisis: US partially restores SNAP programmes with $4.65bn emergency fund

*United States President Donald Trump’s administration agrees to release $4.65 billion in emergency money to restore the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food programme partially, as against November’s $8 billion in benefits, as recipients will receive only half their normal benefits this month

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Days after the expiration of the earlier food aid programmes, the United States (US) Government’s

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food programme is back, though partly.

ConsumerConnect reports the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) disclosed it is using $4.65 billion to partially restore the food aid programmes being impacted by the government shutdown.

The WIC programme that funds initiatives for women and infant children in the American country is also partly back in action.

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However, millions of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, in. November 2025, will receive only about half their normal benefits, agency report said.

It is recalled amid the ongoing United States Government shutdown, about 40 million American consumers were bracing for expiry of critical food benefits from since Saturday, November 1.

Despite the relative success of the food side programme, several Americans have struggled to put food on the table and depend on food assistance from local churches and the US Government alike, to keep themselves fed in the country, according to reports.

Reports had indicated that the affected millions of American consumers, might not get essential food assistance after the last weekend because of an ongoing government shutdown caused by the inability of the US Congress to agree a new funding deal for the economy.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (SNAP) is used by one in eight Americans, and it plays a vital role in how many people purchase their groceries.

The SNAP works by giving consumers reloadable debit cards that they can use to buy food to eat.

However, officials who oversee the programme reportedly said they would not have the funds to pay full benefits from 1 November this year.

Compelled by some US Judges, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Monday, however, noted that aid for women and children under the WIC programme would continue for now, but only for two to three more weeks.

In ensuring the SNAP food programmes are partially restored amid the earlier uncertainty around the programmes, the government has had to tap emergency funds to restore food aid to millions of American consumers who rely on Federal food assistance.

The beneficiaries will get some relief after the Agriculture Department has announced that it will partially resume funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme.

Why US Government taps into emergency fund to reopen SNAP partially

The move to partially restore the food programmes came after a Federal judge had ordered the government to restart benefits amid the ongoing shutdown.

Subsequently, in a court filing, President Donald Trump’s administration said it would release $4.65 billion in emergency money—enough to cover roughly half of this month’s $8 billion in benefits.

Bt implications, some funds will soon reach American families, and other consumers who rely on SNAP to buy groceries.

It is, nonetheless, observed that the payments will fall short of normal levels, and delays could stretch for weeks, report said.

USDA officials as well said they would not draw from other contingency accounts to cover the full amount, according to report.

Besides, new applicants for the SNAP food programmes, this month, will not be eligible to receive benefits until further notice.

WIC programme gets temporary lifeline for vulnerable recipients

Meanwhile, the Trump administration will also inject $450 million in emergency funds to keep the Special Supplemental Nutrition Programme for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, running for now, report noted.

The programme serves about seven million low-income mothers and children.

It was learnt earlier in the shutdown, the USDA had used $300 million in reserve money to sustain WIC operations.

The new funding could keep the programme afloat for another two to three weeks, though that timeline could shrink, if families facing reduced SNAP aid turn to WIC for additional support.

Shutdown’s effects ripple across low-income programmes

Report also indicates the partial restoration of food aid has come as other vital services for low-income families, who begin to falter under the prolonged shutdown.

Hitherto, some Head Start centres around the American country had already begun closing after grant funding lapsed over the weekend, leaving children without preschool instruction, meals, and therapy sessions.

Several working parents are now scrambling to find child care alternatives amid the confusing atmosphere.

The US Government’s emergency measures may stave off a deeper food crisis for now in the country.

However, advocates warn that millions of families remain in limbo — uncertain when or whether their full benefits will return across the United States.

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