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Helping MN families during SNAP funding freeze
Minnesota organizations are teaming up to offer free produce to local families in need, as November SNAP benefits have yet to be released due to the ongoing government shutdown. FOX 9’s Se Kwon has more on the story.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is preparing to distribute full SNAP and MFIP benefits over the weekend.
Benefits distribution plan
What we know:
The DCYF is set to issue full benefits for November due to a recent court ruling in Rhode Island. This decision means that funds will be loaded onto EBT cards in the coming days, potentially earlier than usual for some households.
DCYF says the USDA is working toward implementing full benefits to comply with the court order.
The Trump administration asked the federal appeals court to block the court's ruling, which requires the administration to fully fund SNAP, rather than partially fund the program.
That appeals court decided that the order to fully fund SNAP has to stay in place.
The Supreme Court has now granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown.
What they're saying:
"As the longest shutdown in U.S. history concludes its sixth week, we are incredibly grateful Minnesotans will soon have access to their food benefits thanks to important legal system updates," said DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown. "When food support disappears, the consequences for Minnesota are immediate and far-reaching. It impacts public health, the state and local economies, education, and workforce stability."
Impact on Minnesotans
Local perspective:
More than 440,000 Minnesotans, including 180,000 children and 67,000 seniors, depend on SNAP and MFIP benefits monthly.
What we don't know:
It is unclear what the next steps will be for DCYF regarding SNAP after the Supreme Court emergency ruling.
The Source: Information from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and FOX 9 reporting.