With federal SNAP food assistance set to run dry this weekend amid the protracted U.S. government shutdown, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Vermont became the latest states Wednesday to announce help for low-income households that rely on the funds to eat.
They join states from New York to Nevada in scrambling to find ways to get food to people who are increasingly anxious and will otherwise go hungry without their normal monthly payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Several states take action Wednesday
In Louisiana, where nearly one in five residents receive SNAP benefits, lawmakers authorized $150 million in state funding Wednesday to help avoid Saturday’s expected interruption. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry backed a bipartisan measure to allow most of the state’s nearly 800,000 SNAP recipients to receive their full monthly benefit amount.
“Our priorities are specific, we’re going to protect the most vulnerable population in Louisiana — which is our kids, disabled and elderly,” Landry said.
But officials said that while program details are still incomplete, the effort will likely exclude “able-bodied” adults who aren’t caring for children or don’t share a household with elderly or disabled members — about 53,000 recipients.
Elsewhere, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Wednesday that her state will provide $30 million in emergency food assistance to residents through EBT cards, backfilling SNAP benefits temporarily. The Democrat leads a state where 21% of the population relies on SNAP — the highest rate in the nation. Officials said the benefit would cover about 30% of what residents usually see at the start of the month.
New Mexico held a two-day special legislative session at the outset of the shutdown to shore up food banks and pantries with $8 million in new funding, along with $17.5 million in SNAP-related costs to offset cuts under the federal spending and tax relief initiatives.
The emergency funding is expected to last about ten days, while Democratic state House Speaker Javier Martínez said the Legislature is positioned to approve more if necessary because “children going without basic food staples is an emergency.”
Lujan Grisham emphasized that the state will not let food insecurity escalate. In Vermont, Republican Gov. Phil Scott and Democratic leaders approved the use of $6.3 million in state funds to cover 15 days of SNAP benefits and provide $250,000 to food banks.
Different strokes for different states
So far, state responses have varied. Some, like Rhode Island, are funneling reserve federal welfare funds directly onto the debit cards issued for food purchases. States including Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, and West Virginia plan to boost funds to food pantries to support low-income families during this crisis.
In contrast, states such as Alabama, Texas, Kansas, and Florida have not taken any action. Additionally, in Nebraska, the state Department of Health and Human Services announced a pause on SNAP benefits, indicating coordination with local food banks and community organizations.
The gap created by the impending halt of federal assistance will undoubtedly leave many vulnerable citizens, particularly children and the elderly, facing food insecurity. Experts and state officials are advocating for immediate solutions as the need grows more acute.
Despite state efforts, experts warn that no state can fully compensate for the federal SNAP program. The country’s SNAP costs totaled approximately $100 billion in 2024, which highlights the immense funding challenge states face during such federal lapses.
Democrats are pressuring the Trump administration to release needed contingency funds but have faced resistance. A recent lawsuit by some Democratic state officials aims to secure federal allocation for SNAP benefits, with a federal court hearing scheduled for Thursday.
