Does Trump's Freeze on Federal Aid Impact SNAP Benefits and Food Stamps? What We Know - Newsweek
By: Jenna deJong (Newsweek)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The Trump administration's recent order to temporarily freeze federal funding has drawn significant criticism and concerns about its wide-reaching implications. The memo, issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), halts payments for federal financial assistance programs, potentially affecting trillions of dollars allocated to health care, food assistance, education, and more.
The freeze, which will go into effect at 5 p.m. on January 28, does not include Medicare or Social Security benefits but leaves ambiguity around other critical services like Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
Why It Matters
The OMB memo mandates a pause on federal grants, loans, and financial assistance programs while agencies review their alignment with President Donald Trump's executive orders. These directives aim to curb funding for initiatives deemed inconsistent with the administration's priorities, such as climate projects, diversity programs, and equity-based initiatives.
A portion of the memo labeled spending on specific initiatives as a "waste of taxpayer dollars." It emphasized reallocating funds to better serve the "day-to-day lives of those we serve." However, this decision leaves SNAP, which serves about 41 million Americans, and similar programs vulnerable to potential interruptions.
A teenager uses coupons while shopping at a Kroger's grocery store in Houston on October 10, 2008.A teenager uses coupons while shopping at a Kroger's grocery store in Houston on October 10, 2008.James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle via AP
Is Trump Pausing Food Stamps?
While the administration insists the funding freeze does not apply to direct payments like Social Security and Medicaid, SNAP benefits are in a gray area. Experts interpret the ambiguous language in the memo as potentially impacting programs administered through state and local governments.
According to Fierce Healthcare, concerns remain that the memo's broad scope could lead to delays in disbursing SNAP benefits, disproportionately affecting low-income households reliant on food stamps.
The memo from acting OMB director Matthew Vaeth also includes directives for agencies to align with Trump's executive orders. This review may mean longer-term uncertainty for food assistance programs if they are deemed inconsistent with administrative priorities.
What To Know
The freeze has prompted lawsuits and backlash from various organizations. The National Council of Nonprofits and other advocacy groups filed legal challenges, arguing that the administration lacks the legal authority to unilaterally withhold funds.
"This Memo...will have a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of grant recipients who depend on the inflow of grant money...to fulfill their missions, pay their employees, [and] improve the day-to-day lives of the many people they work so hard to serve," the lawsuit states.
Programs benefiting low-income families, such as the National School Lunch Program and housing assistance through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, could face funding gaps. SNAP, one of the largest federal nutrition assistance programs, is also expected to see delays in disbursements, exacerbating food insecurity across the country.
What People Are Saying
The National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, in a statement to Fierce Healthcare: "Even a temporary funding pause could cause significant disruption to clinic operations, jeopardizing patients' access to contraception, cancer screenings, [and] STI and HIV services."
Paul Light, a professor emeritus of public service at New York University, told PBS: "You can't just hassle, hassle, hassle. You've got to deliver." He emphasized the potential backlash from voters reliant on federal programs.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in a statement, decried the announcement as an example of "more lawlessness and chaos in America as Donald Trump's Administration blatantly disobeys the law by holding up virtually all vital funds that support programs in every community across the country."
He added, "Congress approved these investments and they are not optional; they are the law."
What Happens Next
The lawsuits challenging the freeze are expected to play out in court, with organizations like the National Council of Nonprofits calling for immediate injunctions. Meanwhile, Congress may take legislative action to push back against the administration's attempts to bypass funding laws.
As millions of Americans await clarity, the freeze's full impact on critical programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and disaster assistance remains uncertain. Updates are expected in the coming weeks as agencies complete their mandated reviews and courts weigh the legal challenges.
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Whether this insanity survives challenge or not, he has already terrorized people.
Yes, the media should stop lying and trying to scare people. "The freeze's full impact on critical programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and disaster assistance remains uncertain."
There is no effect on these programs
It remains to be seen. The original order did not make that clear, and according to the seeded article it is still not clear. So why was the order made? I know you think Trump is a god but enough is enough. He is breaking the law, probably for laughs.
Lets say, only for the sake of argument, that SNAP can be improved . Are you seriously going to argue that Trump is the one to do that. He doesnt give a flying fuck if people have enough to eat or not. He doesnt need them anymore.
I’d say the dems don’t give a flying fuck, look how much they spent on illegals. That money could’ve gone to help Americans in need of help. But America last, ya know.
got a link for that? And where were they spending the money? Oh...that's right. SNAP benefits, TANF, Medicaid, etc, ad infinitum. Funny thing is, illegals don't have social security numbers so they can't apply.
You seriously don’t know that this country has spent billions on illegals during the biden years? In fy 2023 new york city, alone, spent 1.47 billion on illegals. In fy 2024 new york city, alone, spent 3.75 billion on illegals. That is just one city, 2 fiscal years. Google is your friend.
Are you seriously going to argue that Trump is the one to do that.
He probably thinks eggs cost over $100 a dozen. I doubt there is a single American who thinks he has ever personally shopped for groceries.
That's not how it works. You made the claim now you back it up. Did you never do debate in high school in your English classes?
I don’t cater to laziness, or people who ask for links then never read them when given. Google it, or keep the noggin buried in sand, it doesn’t matter to me.
August 22, 1996: Bill Clinton Ends Welfare As We Know It
“The death knell of any government-supported vision of an equitable, egalitarian America.”
Don't remember this staying in action very long 'cause the Dems/Libs have to have their "give-a-way" money programs.
So why was the order made?
Because of massive waste with NGOs.
Because Populists are stupid and operate based on their preconceptions and biases.
The Medicaid site is down in all 50 states.
I don’t think anyone in or out of the government knows what the hell is going on. It’s a Caucasian fire drill
Medicaid are individual state run agencies? with separate websites. are you talking medicare or maybe Healthcare .gov?
Florida State Medicaid Managed Care - Contact Us
Healthcare.gov down? Current outages and problems | Downdetector
Looks up to me,
Welcome to the Health Insurance Marketplace® | HealthCare.gov
Clarification
Not in Texas.
Ah. The reimbursement portal. We're talking about different sites.
What are the chances this is a routine server malfunction like everybody else endures from time to time?
This may be the same thing as what the left whined like little bitches about with the Tuskegee airmen, some progressive DEI hire cancelled their part in training and once the administration found it they immediately reinstated it, and I guarantee the fucktard that did it will be out of work, and if active discharged dishonorably for his actions.
You have quite the imagination.
Thanks, it is sign of intelligence.
I’m aware of that, that is why I posted the link for clarification.
I don’t believe in coincidence.
[deleted][✘]
IMO if there is a lack of clarity about what is affected there should be a step back to clarify. It should not take a court to do it. Implementing something like this needs to be done correctly and not on the fly.
IF these things happened, i.e. Medicare / Medicaid sites down, inability to access federal payments and such, the best thing for Dems to do is let Trump and Repubs own it. When people call their offices complaining, especially in red states, districts, areas...pass the blame where it should, to the Repubs. Tell them to call Trump. Remind them, hey, you voted for this, you said you wanted this, well, deal with it. When you thought only Blacks, Hispanics, Native, Asian, Middle Eastern folks would be hit, everything was rosy. Now that it's hitting you too, oh shit!! Just like the tea-baggers.
Watching Live Now-Fox yesterday, I like what Sen. Kaine stated yesterday, hey, let the Republicans handle it. They have the WH, the House and the Senate. It's on them.
Burn B* Burn
Trump backed down. The order has been rescinded
www.aol.com /trump-white-house-rescinds-order-182305292.html
Trump White House rescinds order freezing federal grants after widespread confusion
CHRIS MEGERIAN and ZEKE MILLER 3-4 minutes 1/29/2025
Page 1
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's budget office on Wednesday rescinded an order freezing spending on federal grants, less than two days after it sparked widespread confusion and legal challenges across the country, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The Monday evening order from the White House Office of Management and Budget sparked uncertainty over a crucial financial lifeline for states, schools and organizations that rely on trillions of dollars from Washington and left the White House scrambling to explain what would and wouldn't be subject to a pause in funding.
The people, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal guidance, confirmed that the OMB pulled the order Wednesday in a two sentence notice to agencies and departments.