Close to one million New Jersey residents are at risk of going hungry with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits set to expire on November 1.
The ongoing federal government shutdown has halted funding for SNAP, leaving more than 40 million Americans without benefits. This includes roughly 830,000 NJ residents.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed it will not use its contingency reserves to issue payments for November, citing budget limitations during the shutdown fight in Washington.
It marks the first time in the program’s history that SNAP funding has been suspended due to a government shutdown. The lapse affects about 9% of New Jersey’s population, many of which are children. Most recipients receive benefits at the start of each month, but with no new funds scheduled, many households face risk of immediate hardship.
NJ Sues Over SNAP Expiration
In response, New Jersey has joined 24 other states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Trump administration. The complaint argues that the agency’s refusal to use emergency funds violates federal law and illegally withholds crucial food assistance.
“More than 800,000 New Jerseyans rely on SNAP to help put food on the table for themselves and their families,” said Governor Murphy. “The United States Department of Agriculture has announced that, due to the federal government shutdown, it will not fund SNAP benefits starting in November, despite the availability of about $5 billion in SNAP contingency funds for emergency circumstances.”
Although the Department of Agriculture has previously used emergency funds to sustain other programs, it has deliberately declined to do so for SNAP. With benefits expiring on November 1, the allocated emergency funds can be used to help alleviate the pain for SNAP recipients.
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The suspension of SNAP is expected to place immense strain on NJ food banks. Food distribution networks anticipate a surge in need as families who depend on monthly benefits turn to local pantries instead.
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, which supplies 11 counties is preparing for what they call the largest food assistance gap in years. Food bank leaders are stressing that charity networks alone cannot replace federal assistance. According to Feeding America, for every meal provided by a food bank, SNAP typically delivers nine.
Residents who rely on SNAP can check their remaining balance here.
Those in need of help can enter their ZIP code here to find local food banks.
SNAP funding in NJ is secure through October 31. Without federal action, SNAP benefits will remain suspended until Congress ends the ongoing government shutdown.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.