USDA Pauses November SNAP; Cities Step In

Federal officials said the USDA will not issue November SNAP payments amid the government shutdown, prompting lawsuits and court orders in some states and leaving it unclear when benefits will be restored. San Antonio leaders and partners raised $1.6 million to provide $150 H‑E‑B cards to about 11,000 families; Metro Health and the city’s Human Services Department will handle distribution and eligibility details are expected next week. That local effort will only partially cover need — roughly 130,000 San Antonio households receive about $50 million in monthly SNAP benefits — and officials call it a short-term bridge until federal funding resumes. In Colorado, the Joint Budget Committee approved $10 million for food banks and extended WIC funding to help tens of thousands amid a pause that could affect roughly 600,000 recipients statewide and as many as 100,000 in Denver. Other municipalities, including New Haven, have launched emergency funds to aid local SNAP recipients. Leaders say more donations and federal policy action are needed while courts press the administration to use emergency funds or otherwise restore benefits, but many families remain in limbo.