“Nearly 600,000 children in our state could be without food in a few days because USDA is playing an illegal game of shutdown politics,” Jackson said in a released statement. “They have emergency money to help feed children during this shutdown, and they’re refusing to spend it. I warned them last week that I would take them to court if they tried to hurt our kids, and today that’s what we’re doing.”
This marks the first time that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could be delayed during a government shutdown.
USDA had previously told states it would use contingency funds to keep SNAP running, but reversed that decision on Oct. 24, ordering states to halt November payments.
NC Governor Josh Stein supported AG Jackson, saying in a released statement, “The federal government is denying access to food for more than 1.4 million North Carolinians, including children, veterans, and people with disabilities. The USDA must take immediate action to keep families from going hungry, as it is required to do by law.”
Jackson’s lawsuit argues the USDA’s actions violate federal law and asks the court to restore benefits through a temporary restraining order.
Families needing help can contact local food pantries through Feeding America, call 2-1-1 for assistance, or visit the NCDHHS food access map for resources.
According to the Trump administration, funding will run out for the food assistance program that is relied upon by 42 million Americans to supplement their grocery bills. The administration has rejected using more than $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program flowing into November.
SNAP helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries using debit cards normally loaded each month by the federal government.
Some states have pledged to keep the benefits flowing even if the federal program halts payments, but a memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the program, says states would not be reimbursed for temporarily picking up the cost.
Another program that helps more than 6 million low-income mothers, young children and expectant parents purchase nutritious staples, like baby formula, will likely run out of funds the following week. Earlier this month, WIC received a $300 million infusion from the Trump administration, but those funds are running out, too.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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