How politics put SNAP and families at risk
SNAP, America’s food safety net, has become a bargaining chip in Washington’s standoff. Reporter Sarah D. Wire explains what’s at stake.
The Trump Administration announced earlier this week that due to the orders of two federal judges, partial Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments would be issued.
Now, one of those two judges has ordered that full SNAP payments must be issued, an order the Trump Administration has already appealed.
Here’s what we know.
What is going on with SNAP benefits?
During the last week of October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it did not believe it had the authority to provide SNAP benefits in November because of the ongoing government shutdown.
About 12% of Americans began the week waiting to find out if they would receive federal food assistance in November, the first time it was in question since SNAP began more than 60 years ago.
The Trump administration has been ordered by two federal judges (in Massachusetts and Rhode Island) to provide the funding, but it was unclear how soon people would begin receiving their food stamps and how much they would or wouldn’t get.
The Trump Administration then said on Nov. 3 they would issue partial SNAP payments. President Donald Trump caused some confusion on Nov. 4 when he posted on Truth Social and wrote no SNAP payments would be issued until the government shutdown ended.
On Nov. 6, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump Administration to issue full SNAP payments within the day by using contingency funds. Shortly after the order happened, the Trump Administration issued an appeal.
The two-page appeal document filed in the Rhode Island court didn’t explain the government’s reasons for challenging the order.
How many Hoosiers receive SNAP benefits?
Nearly 600,000 Hoosiers are recipients of SNAP benefits.
There are nearly 41.7 million Americans who receive SNAP benefits each month, according to the USDA.
When will Hoosiers get their SNAP payments?
With the Nov. 6 order from the Rhode Island judge demanding full SNAP payments should be issued, it is unknown if or when Hoosiers should expect to receive their full funding.
Prior to the new order, IndyStar reported on Nov. 5 that Hoosiers who rely on SNAP for food will get partial benefits at least one week later than normal because of the federal government shutdown, and some won’t get any help at all.
Story continues after photo gallery.
The federal government halved maximum monthly benefits, with totals varying by household size. A household’s allotment is calculated by subtracting 30% of a household’s monthly net income from the maximum.
For some people with the incomes on the higher end of eligibility, that means they will receive zero dollars in benefits for November, unless full funding is restored or the formula is changed.
When do Indiana residents typically get their SNAP benefits?
In Indiana, benefits are made available from the 5th to the 23rd of every month, based on the first letter of the client’s last name:
- First Letter of the Last Name is: A or B = benefits available on the 5th
- First Letter of the Last Name is: C or D = benefits available on the 7th
- First Letter of the Last Name is: E, F, or G = benefits available on the 9th
- First Letter of the Last Name is: H or I = benefits available on the 11th
- First Letter of the Last Name is: J, K, or L = benefits available on the 13th
- First Letter of the Last Name is: M or N = benefits available on the 15th
- First Letter of the Last Name is: O, P, Q, or R = benefits available onthe17th
- First Letter of the Last Name is: S = benefits available on the 19th
- First Letter of the Last Name is: T, U, or V = benefits available on the 21st
- First Letter of the Last Name is: W, X, Y, or Z = benefits available on the 23rd
CONTRIBUTING: Aysha Bagchi
