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The core issue revolves around the USDA's stance. The department insists it cannot tap into contingency funds because the money is designated strictly for natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. This legal interpretation, outlined in a recent memo, restricts the use of these funds to emergency incidents rather than ongoing benefit distributions. If funds from other accounts are transferred to cover SNAP, it could deplete resources allocated for disaster response, posing additional risks in the event of an actual emergency.
Further complicating matters, some states are choosing to absorb the costs temporarily, while others are suspending payments altogether. The disparity underscores the vulnerability of such a critical social safety net during political stalemates.