(WFSB) -Two federal judges have ruled the Trump administration must continue to fund SNAP benefits to millions of Americans, a major development as roughly 360,000 people in Connecticut rely on SNAP.
Payments were set to freeze, but people aren’t sure if or when the money would actually reach them.
The intense wind and cold didn’t stop 200 people from lining up at a mobile food pantry in West Hartford.
“Today is definitely busier than normal,” said Alan Sirk of West Hartford.
Sirk lives nearby and said the 45-minute wait in line is worth it. He’s on disability and SNAP.
“I think it’s a very bad situation and when you don’t have a sense of security with food, you’re in very bad shape,” Sirk said.
Two judges ruled the Department of Agriculture has to pay for SNAP, calling the suspension unlawful. But people like Noemi Alvarado of West Hartford aren’t sure when their debit cards will be reloaded.
“Where we gonna get another plate of food? It’s tough,” Alvarado said.
“They can’t defund Snap or food stamps, as they’re commonly known, and they can’t deny families children access to meat, eggs, milk, bread. So this this was this was a win in court, but we still don’t know yet all the details about how USDA will deliver those snap benefits and on what timetable,” said Attorney General William Tong.
Connecticut Foodshare is the state’s massive food network, distributing food to hundreds of pantries. Foodshare is working around the clock, spending millions and hoping there’s enough food for everyone. There’s been a 50 percent increase at their mobile food pantries in the last two weeks.
Jason Jakubowski is Foodshare’s president and CEO.
“This has been one of the hardest weeks I can ever imagine including during COVID,” Jakubowski said.
The Trump administration suggested earlier this month it could take weeks to disburse SNAP benefits. The Justice Department could also appeal the judges’ decisions.
“I need to get food from somewhere, and thank god we have these Foodshare places where we can visit and pick up our food,” Alvarado said.
The USDA has until Monday to come up with a plan, meaning that this weekend can still pose challenges for families that need help.
Connecticut Foodshare distributes food to 500 local pantries in the state and has 110 mobile food pantries of its own. Foodshare wants to be clear that food will not be distributed at its facilities in Wallingford and Bridgeport.
“It helps them offset their daily expenses. It provides them with nutrition rich food. And just helps them with those expenses,” said Enita Jubrey, Director of Social Services, Town of Windsor.
She helps run the Windsor Food and Fuel Bank.
Before the government shutdown, they were helping to feed less than 20 families in town. However, that has since changed.
“We’ve been seeing in the past week or two 25-30 families each shift so it has steadily increased,” she continued.
She said that not only has the need gone up, but so has the willingness of people in the community to help out.
“We’ve already seen a surge from the community to help. There’s a lot of people who want to help. We’ve had a lot of people who want to volunteer,” she said. “It will be challenging but we have faced challenges before here in Windsor and we have a very generous community.”
The pantry is only open to Windsor residents, but anyone is welcome to donate.
You can drop off items on site if they are open or have items sent directly to them by an Amazon wish list. Click HERE for the wish list.
People who don’t know where their nearest food pantry is can call 2-1-1 or visit ctfoodshare.org .
Connecticut lawmakers reacted to a federal ruling on SNAP benefits Friday.
Governor Ned Lamont called SNAP a lifeline for millions of families. Lamont recently announced $3 million in emergency funding to Connecticut Foodshare.
Attorney General William Tong, who was part of a lawsuit over the benefits, said that the president now had a legal and moral choice before him.
“This decision leaves no room for doubt— USDA can and must release the contingency funds and stop weaponizing hunger for political advantage. Donald Trump now has a stark legal and moral choice before him— he can keep fighting this losing battle, he can insist on starving American families for political leverage, or he can release the funds now,” he said.
The Trump administration suggested earlier in October that it could take weeks to disburse SNAP benefits. The Justice Department could also appeal the judge’s decision.
Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congressman John Larson also chimed in.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker announced on Thursday that the city was joining the coalition suing the Trump administration. Over 30,000 New Haven residents rely on SNAP.
Republican Senator Stephen Harding also issued a statement on the court rulings.
“We now have an issue of two competing federal court orders. We will have to see the administration’s response. Bottom line: Vulnerable Connecticut residents need to eat. Bottom line: Democrats need to join Republicans in voting to reopen the government and resolve this crisis. Five major employee unions have called on Senate Democrats in Washington DC to change their position and vote to reopen the government. We view that as an encouraging development. Republicans stand ready to collaborate with the governor in his work to create an emergency response for Connecticut residents in need,” he said.
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