SNAP Benefits Threatened as Shutdown Continues

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey warns that a failure by teh federal government to release SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits next week will create meaningful hardship for the state’s one million recipients. Governor Healey made these remarks this morning at Nubian Markets in Roxbury.

She directly stated that President Trump has the power to authorize these funds, just as other presidents have done during past government shutdowns. This isn’t a new situation, and a solution is readily available.

The potential impact is substantial. Governor Healey emphasized the vulnerable populations who rely on these benefits, stating, “I think about single moms, for example. So many heads of household, single moms in Massachusetts and around America, who next week won’t know how to feed their kids.” She drew on her own experience, adding, “I was raised by a single mom, and I do not want to see single moms or anyone else in this state, in this country suffer needlessly. And the fact of the matter is, they don’t need to.”

Governor Healey continued, highlighting the urgency: “Because today, as we sit here and Donald trump builds that ballroom, he has an opportunity to release billions of funds that will provide these benefits and keep people fed during this shutdown.”

Massachusetts receives $240 million monthly in federal SNAP funding. Without it, the state faces a crisis. Here’s a breakdown of who relies on these benefits: 32% of recipients are under 18, 26% are seniors, and 31% are individuals wiht disabilities.

In response to the potential shortfall, the United Way has established a special response fund to aid those in need. You can find information about this fund, and other helpful resources, on WCVB.com.