SNAP

The federal government is open again. That means families on federal food assistance are getting full payments after more than a month of uncertainty. Even with the end of the shutdown, reservation residents and tribes may still face consequences in the aftermath.

Montanans are now receiving partial federal food benefits. State health officials say they sent the money for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, Sunday.

State health officials say they are working to quickly send partial payments to families on federal food assistance. A court ordered the Trump administration to partially fund the SNAP program during the federal government shutdown.

Montana tribes are trying to find ways to feed members who will lose federal food assistance. Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has been paused because of the federal government shutdown.

Montanans who rely on federal food assistance could get partial payments in November. That's after benefits were set to freeze because of the federal government shutdown. Multiple courts Friday ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to pay for SNAP costs.

The federal government says food assistance payments won’t be sent in November, due to the government shutdown. Some states are stepping in to cover the tab. Montana is not likely to do so.

Federal food benefits for low-income Americans won’t be available next month. Federal officials say funding has run dry because of the government shutdown.

Montana’s only statewide food bank warns that at least 12,000 residents are at risk of losing some or all of their federal food benefits. The overhaul of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, coincides with growing demand for food pantry services in Montana.

The Farm Bill influences what kind of food is grown, how food is grown, and pays for the largest food assistance program in the country.

The new account portal on Montana’s website now requires users to enter and verify an email address in order to access their information. Before, applicants did not need to possess a verifiable email to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.