As the government shutdown this week approaches becoming the longest in history with no end in sight, the administration of US President Donald Trump has announced that it will provide more than 42 million Americans less food help.
In a court filing, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated that after the government used emergency funds, Americans who get food assistance will only receive half of their regular monthly amount.
The Trump administration was given until Monday by judges to present a plan for disbursing food stamps, commonly known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) benefits. Because of the more than month-long shutdown, program funding has been in uncertainty.
Different US states administer benefits, however the program depends on federal funding, which has been cut off and unfunded since October 1. By the end of Monday, states will have clarity on how to allocate the lower monies.
The USDA must utilize $5.25 billion (£4 billion) in emergency funding to make at least some payments to Americans on Snap, according to rulings from federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Before this, President Trump stated that he had directed government attorneys to inquire with the courts about how the administration could lawfully finance Snap.
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