USDA Orders States to Reverse Full SNAP Benefits Payments NOW

UPDATE: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued an urgent directive, instructing states to “immediately undo” full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that have already been distributed. This shocking announcement comes as a response to a recent Supreme Court ruling and poses immediate repercussions for millions of Americans relying on this vital assistance.

Reports from CNN and The New York Times indicate that states failing to comply with this directive could lose federal cost-sharing for SNAP, which serves approximately 42 million individuals nationwide. The USDA’s order was sent out on Saturday, November 11, 2023, creating a wave of confusion and concern among state officials and SNAP recipients alike.

The directive arrives on the heels of a Supreme Court decision that temporarily halted an earlier order requiring the Trump administration to fund SNAP for November. Prior to this, the administration was instructed to reallocate $4 billion from child nutrition programs to cover SNAP expenses. The abrupt changes in funding may leave states and families scrambling for solutions.

In Wisconsin, where full benefits were distributed on Friday, November 10, 2023, Governor Tony Evers responded defiantly to the USDA’s command, declaring,

“No. Consistent with a court order, Wisconsin legally loaded FoodShare payments to cards. Now, the Trump Administration has spent the last 48 hours making a last-ditch effort to yank those payments from nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites, including 270,000 kids. It’s pathetic.”

Evers vowed to fight against any efforts to withdraw these critical funds, emphasizing the impact on families and children in need.

The USDA, which oversees the SNAP program, did not provide immediate comments in response to requests for further clarification. The urgency of this situation cannot be understated, as millions of families depend on these benefits to meet their basic nutritional needs.

Officials across the nation are now grappling with how to respond to this directive while ensuring that vulnerable populations do not suffer from sudden cuts. The potential fallout could lead to a significant food insecurity crisis for many low-income households, particularly those with children.

As this story develops, SNAP recipients and state officials are advised to remain vigilant. The Biden administration’s next steps could significantly alter the landscape of food assistance in the U.S. Watch for updates on how states navigate this complex and urgent situation.