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A line stretched outside Manhattan’s Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen as SNAP benefits lapsed during the shutdown. Two federal judges ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to keep the program running with contingency funds, yet officials said benefits would still be lost Saturday and take at least a week to restore. The pause hits Black Americans hardest (13.7% of the population but 25.7% of recipients), and tribes issued emergencies while USDA granted a November waiver for FDPIR access. With many beneficiaries children, elders, or disabled, advocates warn families will juggle rent, gas and groceries even if aid returns.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.