DMV Braces for Fallout Over Trump’s SNAP Stoppage

October 28, 2025

The Trump administration's refusal to release federal contingency funds during a government shutdown threatens to halt SNAP food assistance benefits for millions of Americans starting November 1st, marking an unprecedented event in U.S. history. Over 1. 6 million residents across Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia who depend on these nutritional benefits face potential food insecurity, while the USDA has confirmed it will not use available contingency funds or reimburse states that try to continue the program independently.

Who is affected

More than 1.6 million SNAP recipients across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
141,000 D.C. residents who rely on SNAP, including 47,000 children and 24,000 seniors
More than 850,000 Virginians receiving SNAP benefits
Approximately 500 families relying on D.C.'s WIC program
More than 400 local food businesses in D.C., particularly small businesses in food deserts
D.C. Council member Christina Henderson and city officials
Mayor Muriel Bowser
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin
Maryland state officials
More than 20 Democratic attorneys general and governors

What action is being taken

The Trump administration is refusing to release federal contingency funds for SNAP
The USDA is suspending SNAP benefits and declining to use $6 billion in federal contingency funds
D.C. is diverting $125,000 in emergency funds to sustain its WIC program through early November
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb and more than 20 Democratic attorneys general and governors are filing/have filed a lawsuit against the USDA
Virginia Governor Youngkin is directing state emergency funds to maintain benefits for Virginians under a declared state of emergency
Maryland officials are monitoring the situation with available cash reserves but not implementing continuation without reimbursement guarantees

Why it matters

This represents the first time in U.S. history that SNAP benefits would be completely halted, threatening to push thousands of families into food insecurity and hunger. The crisis affects vulnerable populations including children and seniors who depend on these benefits for basic nutrition. Beyond individual families, the shutdown threatens the survival of over 400 small businesses operating in food deserts that rely on SNAP revenue, potentially creating cascading economic damage in already underserved communities. The lack of federal-level negotiations to resolve the crisis, combined with the USDA's refusal to reimburse states that attempt to fill the gap, creates an impossible situation for local governments that lack the financial resources to replace billions in federal funding.

What's next

SNAP benefits are expected to stop on November 1st
Mayor Muriel Bowser hopes Congress will reach a compromise before November
D.C.'s emergency WIC funding will sustain the program for 500 families through early November
The lawsuit filed by D.C. Attorney General Schwalb and other state officials against the USDA is proceeding through the courts
Virginia will continue using state emergency funds to maintain benefits while the crisis continues

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer