The agency has billions in contingency funds.
Emergency funds held by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cannot be used to keep the food stamp program going if members of Congress don’t reach a funding agreement, according to a memorandum obtained by The Epoch Times.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food stamps to some 42 million Americans living in low-income households, is set to run out of allocated money on Nov. 1.
The USDA, which had declined to say whether it would utilize the estimated $6 billion in contingency funds it has if Congress does not clear new funding, said in the new memo that “contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits.”
“SNAP contingency funds are only available to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated for, but are insufficient to cover, benefits,” the memo, which was undated and obtained by The Epoch Times from the USDA on Oct. 24, stated. “The contingency fund is not available to support [fiscal year] 2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists.”
Instead, the money is for emergencies such as “hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, that can come on quickly and without notice,” the agency said.
SNAP is fully funded by the federal government, although states pay part of the costs of administering the program.
Some states have indicated in recent days that they are planning to use their own money to keep SNAP benefits going to recipients in the event of a continued government shutdown. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, for example, declared a state of emergency, which he said enables him to utilize emergency funds.
The USDA said in the memo that states cannot cover the costs of benefits.
“There is no provision or allowance under current law for states to cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed,” it stated.
The memo came after some groups, such as the nonprofit Food Research & Action Center, had urged the USDA to use emergency funds to cover SNAP if Congress does not approve new funding.
