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USDA Refuses $6B Fund for SNAP Amid Shutdown Concerns

10/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will not use its $6 billion contingency fund to support SNAP benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.
The memo says the funds are reserved for emergencies, not regular benefits.
This contradicts earlier guidance that funds could be used during funding lapses.
Critics, including legal experts, say the USDA must use the funds, raising concerns about food security for low-income families.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. government shutdown from October 1 to 17, 2013, resulted from a budget impasse over the Affordable Care Act, leading to the furlough of approximately 800,000 federal employees. During this period, the USDA used contingency funds to support 47 million Americans reliant on SNAP. The ongoing debate over funding highlights persistent challenges in U.S. social safety nets and food security for low-income families.

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Story summary

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will not use its $6 billion contingency fund to support SNAP benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.
The memo says the funds are reserved for emergencies, not regular benefits.
This contradicts earlier guidance that funds could be used during funding lapses.
Critics, including legal experts, say the USDA must use the funds, raising concerns about food security for low-income families.

1 / 2