Kentucky joins states demanding SNAP funding be restored

Gov. Beshear challenges Trump administration over illegal suspension of SNAP benefits

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear is joining leaders from 24 other states and the District of Columbia to challenge the decision to suspend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

SNAP provides food benefits for low-income families to fill in needs in their grocery budget. However, the government shutdown has brought some uncertainty about how some families may put food on the table in November.

“Our President should be focused on fighting hunger, not causing it – yet the unlawful suspension of SNAP benefits is going to case more than 40 million Americans and almost 600,000 Kentuckians – many of which are children – to go without food,” Beshear said. “My faith teaches me that food is lifegiving and meant to be shared. From the miracle of fishes and loaves to the Last Supper, we are called to feed and care for each other, and the Trump administration prohibiting SNAP benefits is wrong.”

According to the governor’s office, on Oct. 24, the United States Department of Agriculture sent a letter to state SNAP agencies saying it was suspending all November benefit payments for about 42 million individuals across the country that rely on them. Officials say that suspension will continue until sufficient federal funding is provided.

Despite USDA’s claim of insufficient funds, the agency has access to billions of dollars in SNAP-specific contingency funds, officials say. In addition, officials say the USDA has funded other programs with emergency funds during the shutdown but has refused to fund SNAP.

In Kentucky, the governor’s office says SNAP recipients can continue using current benefits as normal.

For updates, Kentuckians can visit the Department for Community Based Services website or their Self-Service Portal account. Official DCBS notifications, text messages and emails will also be shared with news as available.

Joining Gov. Beshear in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. The governors of Kansas and Pennsylvania also joined.