SNAP Benefits Now Available: What To Know In NJ

The Trump Administration has cooperated with federal orders to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

On Friday, the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services sector of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it would “complete the processes necessary” to make sure funding is made available to those enrolled in SNAP.

According to Governor Phil Murphy, the New Jersey Department of Human Services “acted immediately” to process full SNAP benefits to eligible residents.

“More than 800,000 New Jerseyans have been burdened with impossible economic choices, uncertainty, and fear while the Trump Administration attempted to suspend SNAP benefits and to leave almost 42 million people across the country without access to basic nutrition during the federal government shutdown,” Murphy said in a statement. “Washington Republicans’ determination to use New Jersey residents as pawns in their political ploys is shameful.”

The action comes after SNAP benefits were set to expire on Nov. 1, until two federal judges ordered that the program be at least partially funded throughout the month.

One of those judges, John J. McConnell Jr., ordered on Thursday that full benefits be funded, according to the Associated Press. The Trump Administration has since attempted to appeal all of the rulings.

The USDA begrudgingly chose to partially fund the program using $4.65 billion in contingency funds, saying that draining the funds would mean that “no funds will remain for new SNAP applicants certified in November, disaster assistance, or as a cushion against the potential catastrophic consequences of shutting down SNAP entirely.”

Prior to the federal rulings, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin joined 21 other attorneys general and three governors in suing the Department of Agriculture for unlawfully suspending SNAP funding.

“I thank the court for intervening and applaud all who stepped up – especially our food banks and community kitchens who mobilized quickly on the front lines to mitigate the impact of this avoidable crisis,” Murphy continued. “As the federal shutdown persists, our Task Force will continue to collaborate with partners to address gaps in access and encourage everyone to continue lending a hand.”

As food banks, pantries, grocery stores, and restaurants across the Garden State rallied to help those affected by the SNAP pause, Governor Phil Murphy mobilized the National Guard and allocated $42.5 million to address the food crisis.

Those enrolled in SNAP benefits can monitor their November balances on NJSNAP.gov.

“We’ll continue fighting to protect NJ residents and make sure they don’t go hungry,” Platkin said Friday.

The Uncertain Future Of SNAP

While funding was made available for November, it remains to be seen if those enrolled in SNAP will see benefits in December.

Last week, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he would continue to fund SNAP benefits only when “the Radical Left Democrats open up government.”

“SNAP BENEFITS, which increased by Billions and Billions of Dollars (MANY FOLD!) during Crooked Joe Biden’s disastrous term in office (Due to the fact that they were haphazardly 'handed' to anyone for the asking, as opposed to just those in need, which is the purpose of SNAP!), will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” the president wrote.

Friday marked Day 38 of the shutdown, which is the longest in U.S. history. With no agreement on the horizon between the Trump Administration and Congress, it remains to be seen when the government will reopen, and when, or if, SNAP funding will continue.

Related Coverage:

• Where To Get Food Assistance In All 21 NJ Counties
• Murphy Mobilizes National Guard To NJ Food Banks
• Trump Threatens To Withhold SNAP Benefits As Murphy Mobilizes National Guard
• SNAP Benefits Partially Restored: What It Means For NJ