The US government shutdown has sparked a heated debate, with a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. The judge accused the administration of withholding food aid for political reasons, stating that without the aid, 16 million children are at risk of going hungry. The program, used by about 42 million Americans, helps low-income individuals afford groceries. The administration initially planned to halt funding entirely due to the government shutdown, but was ordered to make at least partial payments. The judge criticized President Trump for saying benefits would only be distributed after the shutdown, calling it an intent to defy the court order. He granted a request from local governments and non-profit groups to provide full food benefits, rather than the 65% ordered to be paid out this month. The judge, appointed by President Obama, ordered benefits to be paid by Friday, adding that any further delay would be unacceptable. The White House has yet to respond, but a spokesperson clarified that the administration would comply with the judge's order. Democracy Forward, an advocacy group, praised the ruling as a major victory, stating that the Trump-Pence administration must stop playing politics with people's lives. More than 42 million Americans received SNAP benefits, but the program has been in limbo during the month-long shutdown. While individual states administer the benefits, the program relies on federal government funding, which has been unfunded and shut down since October 1. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which runs SNAP, said it would not distribute food-assistance funds entirely starting November 1 due to the shutdown. Half the states and the District of Columbia sued the administration over the food-aid freeze, arguing that they had a legal obligation to keep the program running. Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled that the administration needs to use $5.25 billion in emergency funds to make at least partial payments to Americans. SNAP costs about $8 billion per month and allows many low-income Americans to buy groceries. A family of four receives an average of $715 per month, which breaks down to about $6 per day per person. Amid the uncertainty over SNAP funding, local governments have been helping direct recipients to charity food pantries. Cost-saving recipes have also gone viral online as Americans search for ways to stretch their budgets.
