NEW YORK (PIX11) — Food stamp recipients were left confused today after President Trump appeared poised to cut federal food assistance for millions despite a court order to do so.
All this as local food pantries say they’re seeing more people show up for help.
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On Tuesday, President Trump took to social media, stating that SNAP benefits wouldn’t be distributed until the government reopens and a budget deal is reached, a claim that contradicts what his own administration said in court just a day earlier.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “The administration is fully complying with the court order.”
Leavitt said people will have to be patient as the money gets distributed, since it’s coming from an emergency fund that’s already running low.
“The president doesn’t want to continue dipping into a contingency fund that doesn’t even have enough money, by the way, to fund the full program.”
“People are very scared and very worried especially about their children.” Elizabeth McCarthy, President and CEO of the Community Foodbank of New Jersey. She says they’ve seen a 25% jump in need across the 11 counties they serve. “Really, just last week we started seeing an increase at our pantries. We have about 400 pantries across the state”
“The uncertainty over when that funding will actually come through is still up in the air,” says Sherry Tucker, CEO of WellLife Network, which helps about 2,500 people every day on Long Island. “And most of the people we serve rely on SNAP benefits. It’s having a huge impact on the communities we work with.”
The White House says the USDA has sent guidance to states on how much funding SNAP recipients will get, but it’s still unclear when that money will actually reach families.
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