By Matthew Hersh
The health care stalemate that has shuttered the federal government for more than a month is being felt directly at the local level as more than 800,000 New Jerseyans, or roughly 9 percent of the state population, see their Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits dry up.
Despite a partial restoration of SNAP food benefits after two federal judges ruled last week that freezing payments for the country’s biggest anti-hunger program is unlawful, the Trump administration announced that it would pay out only half of the amount normally allocated — or $4.65 billion from an Agriculture Department contingency fund. Americans normally receive $8 billion in food assistance payments every month. Delivery of those funds could take several months, officials said.
This week, as New Jersey voters headed to the polls, state lawmakers called to accelerate $42.5 million in food delivery and hunger grants to Emergency Food Organizations (EFOs), or food banks, ahead of the expected halt in SNAP benefits, as outlined in the state’s FY2026 Budget.
“In communities across our state, food banks are on the front lines combating food insecurity and supporting New Jersey families in need,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “They are an integral part of our food security safety net, and our administration is proud to deliver funding to support their operations, especially at a time of increased uncertainty. The Trump administration’s decision to abandon the over 800,000 New Jerseyans who rely on critical SNAP benefits during one of the longest federal government shutdowns in our nation’s history is morally reprehensible. In New Jersey, we will continue to coordinate across government and with our partners on the ground as we navigate the fallout from the federal government’s failure to act in the best interest of the American people.”
As of August 2025, 813,000 people, including 340,425 children and 176,706 senior citizens, received SNAP benefits, according to the NJ Department of Health and Human Services (DHS).
DHS’ Division of Family Development said that any benefits loaded onto SNAP EBT cards before October 31 will remain available for use after November 1. Officials encouraged residents to verify their account status at NJFamiliesFirst.com or by calling (800) 997-3333 before visiting grocery stores in November.
Area food providers are already developing contingency plans to at least temporarily make up for the shortfall in funding for families in need. The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, which has launched its own donor campaign, served a record 59,000 meals last month as staff increased food purchases and bolstered kitchen staff to accommodate an anticipated surge as SNAP assistance ends.
“We are living through a time of great uncertainty,” said TASK CEO Amy Flynn. “Across our region and beyond, families are grappling with rising costs, stagnant wages, and an escalating housing crisis. No matter who you are, chances are you’ve felt the pinch in some way.”
New Jersey allocates approximately $160 million per month to fund SNAP benefits, based on recent federal data. However, the state is only responsible for a portion of this cost; the federal government provides the majority of the funding for the benefits themselves. The state does have to pay for a portion of the program’s administrative costs, and recent federal laws require states to cover some of the food costs as well.
Local efforts to supplement the loss in SNAP funding are taking hold as Princeton Public Schools students and teachers partner with the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry and Cornerstone Community Kitchen to set up bins at all six schools to receive donations. The schools will be collecting canned and boxed goods, fresh produce, and personal care items. Bins are placed near the main entrance of each school building with all items sent to local organizations for community distribution.
Policy makers for months have warned of the potential fallout from severe cuts to food insecurity programs, leaving states scrambling how to cover the shortfall, while assessing the longer-term budgetary effects. According to a recent report issued by the policy thinktank Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “It is unrealistic to assume that most or all states would be able to fully pay for the lost federal funds.”
In a state-federal matching program, federal funding is based on the amount of funding the state spends. But if states either cannot pay the full amount of a required match (or choose not to), they would need to cut the food assistance low-income people and families are receiving in their state.
Legislative leaders have already signaled rethinking the way New Jersey approaches its food assistance programs.
“I’m pleased that a federal judge is forcing the Trump administration to apply federal contingency funds to the SNAP program,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, but added, “it will not be enough. Our work will continue until full benefits are finally restored.”
For more information on countywide food insecurity programs, and how to donate or volunteer, go to the Mercer County Office of Food Security at mercercounty.org/departments/human-services/office-of-food-security.