The future of food stamps are unclear after the U.S Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration to temporarily block funding for food stamps shortly after funding returned.
Many low-income Washington residents have seen delays to their SNAP benefits. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, provides financial assistance for eligible households to purchase food.
On Friday, the Supreme Court overturned a Rhode Island judge’s SNAP order from the day before. That judge had told the Trump administration to use USDA contingency funds to pay for full November SNAP benefits by Friday. Last week, Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, said the administration would be “fully complying” and would partially fund food aid during the shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the SNAP program starting Nov. 1 because of the government shutdown, which is the longest in U.S. history. In response, 25 states, including Washington, challenged the pause, stating the administration had a legal obligation to keep the food assistance program open.
According to a report from U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, more than 9,000 people receive SNAP benefits in Chelan County, upwards of 18,000 people in Grant County, and more than 4,000 people in Douglas County. Statewide, nearly one million people receive federal food assistance.
Reneé Diaz may be contacted at Renee.diaz@wenatcheeworld.com. Collaborative reporting by The Wenatchee World, NWPB and Murrow College of Communication Newsroom Fellowship.
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