MD Braces for Fed SNAP Lapse, Jeopardizing Food Assistance

The federal government’s decision to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding threatens to deepen food insecurity across Maryland.

Box of vegetables including eggplant, peppers, lettuce and kale. As the federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, continues to drag on, more than 680,000 Marylanders are expected to lose access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as of November 1. As previously covered by MACo, Maryland shares SNAP administrative costs equally with the federal government, but the federal government covers 100 percent of the benefit. However, the federal government announced it will not continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the shutdown.

From a Maryland Matters article:

In previous shutdowns, the federal government would continue to pay for SNAP out of USDA contingency funds, to ensure that low-income families and other struggling households could continue to afford food.

But after funding benefits when the government was shut down in October, the Trump administration reversed course and announced last week that it is unable to continue funding SNAP next month, unless Congress agrees on a budget — and it may not reimburse states that decide to fill the gap in the meantime.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) holds $6 billion in contingency funds for SNAP but has said it will not deploy them during the shutdown.

From a Baltimore Banner article:

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said on Tuesday he would sue the Trump administration because the federal government will not use money from a contingency fund to keep the program running. Gov. Wes Moore said the state would not fund the program during the lapse, either.

As reported in a Maryland Matters article, state budget leaders are advocating for Maryland to consider using its $2.25 billion Rainy Day Fund to bridge the gap if needed. Covering SNAP benefits for November and December would cost Maryland roughly $250 million, according to the Department of Legislative Services analysts.

Governor Moore is expected to hold a press conference later today to share more information on action regarding SNAP. MACo will provide more information on Governor Moore’s announcement.

When federal funding stalls, counties are often the first to mobilize local partnerships and resources to meet residents’ needs. While local governments cannot replace lost federal dollars, jurisdictions like Baltimore City are demonstrating how targeted action can help protect vulnerable residents during times of uncertainty.

Baltimore City is stepping up to support residents and workers facing food insecurity, among other challenges. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott announced a $4.68 million local investment to help fill gaps caused by the loss of federal assistance programs like SNAP.

Baltimore City will invest $1.71 million in food assistance, expanding food distribution through the Maryland Food Bank and the Baltimore City Health Department’s Home Delivered Food Box Program. The funding will also provide additional support for local nonprofits such as So What Else, The Food Project, and the Baltimore Hunger Project.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.