A major lawsuit is underway as the federal food stamp program faces possible suspension for the first time in 60 years. Twenty-five states and Washington, D.C., are suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture, saying it must keep sending out Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits using existing funds. About 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, which usually reloads on Nov. 1.
The USDA says it can’t renew funding during the government shutdown. It argues that about $6 billion in reserve funds are meant for emergencies like natural disasters, not regular payments. The states disagree, claiming the agency has enough money to keep benefits going through November and is legally required to do so.
If the issue isn’t resolved soon, millions of families could lose their food assistance within days. Grocery stores, food banks, and low-income households are all bracing for impact. While the lawsuit pushes for a short-term fix, lawmakers continue to argue over the budget, leaving many Americans worried about how they’ll afford groceries if the shutdown continues.
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