With federal SNAP food assistance set to run dry this weekend amid the protracted U.S. government shutdown, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Vermont have become the latest states to announce help for low-income households that rely on the funds to eat.
As states scramble to provide food to people, Louisiana’s lawmakers authorized $150 million in state funding to help maintain SNAP benefits. Republican Governor Jeff Landry supported a bipartisan effort to ensure that most of the state's nearly 800,000 SNAP recipients receive their full monthly benefits, despite some exclusions for able-bodied adults without dependents.
Conversely, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced $30 million in emergency assistance to backfill SNAP benefits temporarily. With 21% of the state relying on SNAP, this funding is critical in providing about 30% of what residents usually receive at the start of the month.
In Vermont, both Governor Phil Scott and Democratic leaders authorized $6.3 million to cover 15 days of SNAP benefits and increase support for food banks.
Mixed Responses from Other States
In various states, responses have varied. Rhode Island, for instance, is directing reserve federal welfare funds to direct food assistance, while states like Colorado, Connecticut, and Minnesota are boosting funding to food pantries. In sharp contrast, states like Alabama and Florida have yet to take any action.
Many experts, including Tashara Leak from Cornell University, warn that without federal assistance, the most vulnerable populations might face severe hunger issues. With delays in SNAP benefits likely impacting households dependent on this assistance, the situation remains urgent.
Amid ongoing discussions, Democratic state officials have even resorted to legal action, demanding that the Trump administration release contingency funding to avoid interruptions in SNAP payments.
While states are mobilizing to provide emergency assistance, the nationwide SNAP funding requirement is approximately $100 billion for November alone, which states cannot fully cover. This raises concerns about the effective management and sustainability of food assistance programs across the country in the face of government inaction.
