![[RI.gov] SNAP food benefits will run out Nov. 1 as federal officials debate the use of contingency funding typically used during federal shutdowns.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/SNAP-food-benefits-1.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides financial food assistance to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget. The program feeds about 42 million Americans, including 140,000 Rhode Islanders. Each month, the SNAP program adds about $29 million to electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards for Rhode Islanders to use at local grocery stores.
SNAP food assistance benefits will last as long as funding remains during the shutdown, but that’s expected to run out Nov. 1. The USDA has about $6 billion in contingency funds to cover SNAP in November, which the Trump Administration has said it won’t do. The Trump Administration position that this funding cannot be used for this purpose contradicts the administration’s own position during previous shutdowns, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Related story: Shutdown Standoff: DEMs Oppose Hiking HSRI Bills
Trump, currently on a weeklong overseas trip whose Administration ordered the suspension of SNAP benefits on Nov. 1 – recently suggested a SNAP reversal by USDA: Speaking aboard Air Force One while in Asia today, President Trump told reporters “we’re going to get it [SNAP funding] done,” according to an ABC News report, but offered no details on how it might happen.
With the Trump-led USDA announcing a pause in federal funding for the food assistance, states, including Rhode Island, are scrambling, Reed said. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee declared a state of emergency over the impending lapse, freeing emergency funds available to those in need. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha joined a federal lawsuit with nearly two dozen states against the Trump Administration over the impending end of federal food assistance.
McKee noted SNAP is a crucial federal responsibility that no state can absorb, and that during past shutdowns, the federal government ensured SNAP benefits were provided using available federal funds to prevent a lapse in benefits.
“President Trump’s failure to act is cruel and unacceptable,” said McKee. “I’m continuing to call on the President to use all available options to cover November benefits. But make no mistake, Rhode Island will not stand by and allow families to go hungry. We’re taking decisive action to protect food access wherever possible and strengthen our local food banks.”
- Emergency Payments for Families with Children McKee is deploying up to $6 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding to provide an emergency payment to help more than 20,000 eligible families with children (approximately 65,000 individuals) offset the loss of federal SNAP benefits. If the federal government continues to fail to fund SNAP, the first state payment would be deposited directly onto EBT cards as of Nov. 1, with the second following on Nov. 16. According to federal regulations, TANF funds can only be directed to qualifying families with children.
- Emergency Funding to the RI Community Food Bank: McKee is directing $200,000 of Social Services Block Grant funding to enhance capacity at the RI Community Food Bank. After meeting with the Governor’s office last week, the RI Community Food Bank has already placed an initial bulk order to help ensure resources are mobilized and ready to be distributed to food pantry partners in local communities across the state.
“When the President and his Administration blame lapsing SNAP benefits on the government shutdown, they are lying to you,” said “The USDA has billions in contingency funds for this express purpose – so that Americans don’t go hungry waiting for their federal government to get its act together. Forty-two million Americans rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families, including nearly 150,000 Rhode Islanders, for whom this is potentially a life-threatening situation. So, as the President prioritizes golden ballrooms over access to food, we will continue to fight on behalf of all Americans.”
Reed supports two key SNAP funding bills: the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and the Keep SNAP Funded Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO).
The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act would provide such funds as are necessary to provide uninterrupted benefits for SNAP and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) at times when continuing or full year appropriations have not been enacted for the Department of Agriculture in FY26.
Hawley’s Keep SNAP Funded Act would fund the food aid program for states across the country until the nearly-month-long government shutdown ends and the USDA can receive its allotments through appropriations or stopgap measures.
So far, 10 Republican Senators have cosponsored Senator Hawley’s bill, including: James Lankford (R-OK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (RM-E), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Jon Husted (R-OH) and John Cornyn (R-TX).
The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act would provide such funds as are necessary to provide uninterrupted benefits for SNAP and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) at times when continuing or full year appropriations have not been enacted for the Department of Agriculture in FY26.
“As my colleagues in both parties have attested and agree: There is no reason millions of Americans should go hungry. There is a bipartisan solution on the table. It’s not the exact bill I would have written, but time is of the essence and bipartisan action is required. Democrats are willing to do their part. The only question is: Will Senate Republican leaders allow the Senate to work its will and allow a vote using a 60-vote threshold? This is about helping low-income children, seniors on a fixed income, and disabled Americans who depend on SNAP to make ends meet. If given the chance, I believe both parties can come together to help these vulnerable Americans. But the question is: will Congressional Republicans prioritize protecting the American people, or let the American people go hungry? I urge them to do the right thing and tee up a vote ASAP. If they do, we can get this done on a bipartisan basis.”
Reed said that while a strong majority of Senators support extending SNAP funding, it only takes one senator to object to passing a bill by unanimous consent. Only Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) can schedule a vote in a timely manner.
“The quickest way to get SNAP aid out in November is for the Trump Administration to simply follow the law and tap into the SNAP contingency fund, which has over $5 billion ready to go immediately, and transfer other USDA funds temporarily to ensure SNAP benefits keep flowing during the shutdown,” Reed said.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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