US President Donald Trump stated Tuesday that full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not resume until Congress passes legislation to reopen the federal government, now shut down for 35 days.
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: "SNAP BENEFITS, which increased by Billions and Billions of Dollars (MANY FOLD!) during Crooked Joe Biden’s disastrous term in office, will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!"
The announcement follows a November 3 administration decision to use a $4.65 billion contingency fund for partial November benefits—covering about 50% of aid for 42 million recipients—per federal court orders in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Average full monthly benefits are $356 per household. Former USDA official Stacy Dean said the delay in full funding could affect food access for hundreds of thousands of households by mid-November.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports SNAP provides roughly 70% of grocery support for typical recipients, including working parents, seniors, and children. The shutdown, which began October 1 over 2026 fiscal disputes, has furloughed approximately 900,000 federal workers.
Food banks report increased demand, with some distributing aid to thousands of families daily. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the move “extortionate.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) urged a “clean” continuing resolution. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump seeks to end Democratic “obstructionism.”
Twenty-four Democratic-led states filed an emergency motion Tuesday; U.S. District Judge Jack McConnell scheduled a 3 p.m. ET hearing in Rhode Island.