USDA Paying Out Half of November SNAP Benefits After Court Order

USDA will meet part of November SNAP benefits under court direction, citing insufficient funds for full payments.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it will issue roughly half of November’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits following a series of federal court orders directing the government to continue payments during the ongoing shutdown. The partial funding announcement ensures that some benefits will be distributed while legal and budgetary questions remain unresolved.

Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden said last week that USDA does not have enough money to cover the full November SNAP obligations, with current resources only sufficient to fund about half of the program’s monthly cost. He emphasized that the agency is complying with the court orders using limited contingency funds while awaiting further guidance from Congress and the White House on long-term appropriations.

Officials said state agencies are being notified of the partial funding and that payment schedules may vary. SNAP, which provides food assistance to more than 40 million Americans, typically costs over $8 billion per month to administer nationwide.

Farm-Level Takeaway: USDA will meet part of November SNAP benefits under court direction, citing insufficient funds for full payments.

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Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

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