FEDERAL THREATS TO HEALTH & NUTRITION
LATEST UPDATE ON SNAP
As of November 6th
A federal judge has ordered the administration to fully restore funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food aid to roughly 42 million Americans. Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island sharply rebuked officials for delaying or partially funding benefits during the government shutdown, calling the attempt to withhold aid “for political reasons.”
The decision followed lawsuits from cities, states, and nonprofits warning that millions of low-income families could go hungry without immediate action. Despite having sufficient funds, the Agriculture Department had attempted to issue only partial payments, a move that local officials said would have caused long delays and confusion. The ruling requires the government to distribute full benefits by Friday, marking a major victory for anti-hunger advocates and the families who rely on SNAP to eat. The administration has said it will appeal the ruling.
It's unclear when SNAP benefits will be sent to families. It also remains unclear what happens after November.
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO
Tell Congress to put people over politics and fully fund SNAP for November!
November SNAP benefits are delayed for Tennessee families. USDA continues to withhold a portion of SNAP benefits that are due to eligible Tennesseans. Despite the government shutdown, Congress could give USDA the green light to fully fund SNAP to ensure families aren't without food.
SNAP Participation by Congressional District
SNAP RESOURCES
SNAP benefits will be delayed across all 50 states due to the government shutdown. If you are looking for food resources in your community, use the links below to find food near you.
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Feeding America (Statewide)
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Find Your Local Food Bank HERE
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FindHelp.org (Statewide)
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Learn more HERE
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If your organization is not listed above and you would like to be, please contact us at communicationstjc@tnjustice.org.
LATEST UPDATE ON HEALTH COVERAGE
Over 643,000 Tennesseans rely on Enhanced Premium Tax Credits to afford their health coverage through the ACA Marketplace. If Congress fails to extend them, premiums could jump by nearly 100% for many families, forcing thousands to lose coverage or go without needed care. Use our letter to urge your elected officials to extend these critical credits and keep health care affordable for families across our state.
TAKE ACTION!
MORE WAYS TO ADVOCATE
The Wednesday Brief:
Health & Nutrition in Focus
Every Wednesday | 11:30 AM CT
Join TJC every Wednesday at 11:30 AM CT to stay informed about the goverment shutdown and to learn about the federal changes affecting public benefits programs such as Medicaid, Marketplace coverage, SNAP, and more.
This is a series of weekly check-ins to share vital information, where we’ll break down the latest congressional developments as they occur and explain how you can make a difference!
If you want to watch more recordings from our Health & Nutrition cuts series, click the button below to be directed to our Youtube Playlist with all videos:
REAL STORIES. REAL PEOPLE.
SHARE YOUR STORY
We must lift up our neighbors who have no access to health insurance, face barriers to SNAP, have delayed care, as well as those who are thriving because of public programs like TennCare and SNAP. Sharing personal experiences with these programs are critical tools in changing the hearts and minds of decision-makers, and TJC is here to support you in amplifying that story.
