'We are in uncharted territory:' Agriculture secretary says SNAP benefits could dry up due to the shutdown [View all]

Source: Scripps News

Posted 7:15 PM, Nov 05, 2025


The government is reaffirming this week that it will tap into contingency funds to at least partially support SNAP benefits for November, after being compelled by the courts to do so.

But Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is warning that the program does not have funds available to extend benefits past November.

Sec. Rollins told Scripps News the USDA is working with states to distribute funding, but it could take several weeks for the money to flow.

"We have a patchwork of 50 different projects," Sec. Rollins said. "There are some — a lot of the states have come asking for flexibility. You know, you've got half the funding, do you pro rata that so that the people that are at the lowest end of the socioeconomic ladder, they get more? That's what I would argue. But we're working through the states now trying to do this the best way we can. But obviously we are in uncharted territory. A reminder, our team at USDA is literally working overnight all night trying to get this money out."

Read more: https://www.scrippsnews.com/politics/the-president/we-are-in-uncharted-territory-agriculture-secretary-says-snap-benefits-could-dry-up-due-to-the-shutdown