TRENTON, NJ – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and a coalition of 23 state attorneys general are demanding answers from the Trump Administration after the U.S. Department of Agriculture warned that funding for critical nutrition programs could lapse next week amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The letter, sent Thursday to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Acting Associate Administrator Ronald Ward, questions how the federal government plans to proceed after instructing states to delay issuing November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Platkin said the move could endanger nearly one million New Jersey residents who rely on SNAP and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program for food assistance.
Key Points
- AG Matthew Platkin joined 23 states demanding clarity on federal nutrition funding during the shutdown
- Nearly one million New Jerseyans could lose food benefits if SNAP and WIC lapse
- USDA warned states to delay issuing November benefits, citing lack of appropriations
Attorneys general demand federal transparency
The October 10 USDA directive advised states to “hold” November benefit files until further notice, citing insufficient appropriations to cover payments for 42 million Americans nationwide. Platkin and other attorneys general argue that the federal government has available funds—including $6 billion in SNAP contingency reserves and access to Section 32 emergency funds—that should be used to maintain benefits during the shutdown.
Platkin calls move “outrageous and cruel”
Platkin condemned the USDA’s actions, accusing the administration of risking the health and safety of vulnerable populations. “It is outrageous and cruel that the Trump Administration would allow this funding to end and endanger the lives of millions of Americans,” he said.
Federal guidance questioned
The letter from the attorneys general challenges USDA’s legal basis for halting payments, noting that the agency failed to cite any statutory authority to suspend or cancel benefits. The coalition is asking USDA to respond by October 27 with details on contingency funds, legal justifications, and plans to continue food assistance operations.
Millions nationwide face uncertainty
According to federal data, children under 17 comprise nearly 40% of SNAP recipients, while seniors make up another 20%. State officials warn that even a temporary lapse in benefits could cause widespread food insecurity and economic disruption. Platkin’s coalition includes attorneys general from states such as California, New York, Maryland, and Illinois, along with the District of Columbia.
