Official Site of The State of New Jersey
SNAP Support Briefing: Volume 3
NJ Human Services Commissioner Adelman Statement on Judge Mcconnell Ordering USDA to Fully Fund November SNAP Benefits
New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman released the following statement after U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. today ordered the Trump Administration to fully fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November:
“Judge McConnell this afternoon ruled that the USDA must provide full funding of SNAP for the entire month of November by tomorrow, November 7. The Trump Administration is appealing that ruling. Nonetheless, New Jersey is prepared and ready to issue SNAP benefits upon the federal government releasing the funding. Once full federal funds are released, we have been assured by our vendor that SNAP funding will be available on EBT cards within hours. We are on standby and eager to help end this nightmare for the families we serve.”
New Jersey Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Wengryn Awards $4 Million to Food Banks to Support Purchase of New Jersey Grown Products
As the federal government continues to delay the full and timely funding of SNAP benefits for New Jersey families New Jersey families, New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) Secretary Ed Wengryn announced grant awards to six regional food banks to support the purchase of locally grown food products as part of the State’s ongoing Hunger Initiative and Food Assistance Program.
The funding will allow food banks across New Jersey to expand access to fresh, nutritious, and locally produced foods while directly supporting the state’s farmers and agricultural economy.
“Food security is always a high-priority issue for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, and with the federal suspension of SNAP benefits, it became an even more overarching issue for us as the agency that administers community- and school-feeding programs," said Secretary Ed Wengryn. “These additional grants will help New Jersey’s community food banks that are hard pressed to fill the gaps left by SNAP benefits not being available. We will continue to ensure that feeding New Jersey’s residents takes top priority."
The Hunger Initiative and Food Assistance Program reflect the Murphy Administration’s continued commitment to strengthening local food systems, reducing food insecurity, and fostering economic opportunities for New Jersey’s agricultural producers. Through this program, participating food banks will use awarded funds exclusively to purchase New Jersey agricultural products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, seafood, and minimally processed foods made with at least 51 percent New Jersey ingredients. These funds bring the New Jersey farming community together with our emergency feeding organizations to make fresh, nourishing foods available to vulnerable New Jersey families.
NJ DCF to Provide Assistance to Former Foster Youth Affected by SNAP Shutdown
In response to the federal government’s suspension of full SNAP benefits, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) is providing temporary financial assistance to foster care alumni between the ages of 18 and 27 years who are SNAP recipients.
“SNAP is a crucial resource for so many individuals throughout our state. As more than 800,000 New Jerseyans go without timely access to their full SNAP benefits, our state is working across government to provide relief,” said Acting Governor Tahesha Way. “I applaud the Department of Children and Families for sharing targeted, temporary assistance to those who have aged out of the child welfare system and are now feeling the brunt of the Trump Administration’s failure to fully and consistently fund SNAP.”
“SNAP is a lifeline to many of the children, youth, and families who are currently, or have previously, been involved with the child welfare system in New Jersey,” said NJ DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer, MSW. “But when you consider the impact on former foster youth, who are at a greater risk of food insecurity, the loss or reduction of these benefits can be absolutely catastrophic. At DCF, we will not shrug off our responsibility to the young people who have been served by our system and will step up with temporary assistance to these recipients.”
Nationally, nearly a quarter of young people who age out of the foster care system without a clear path to permanency become at-risk of food insecurity. Due to the low number of out-of-home placements and efforts to connect young people to permanent familial supports, either through kinship relationships, adoption, or reunification, the risk in New Jersey is reduced, but not eliminated. It is estimated that there are approximately 1,900 young people between the ages of 18-27 years who were in foster care in New Jersey who may feel the impact of federal disruptions to SNAP benefits.
Young people in need of assistance will need to reach out to the DCF Office of Adolescent Services at dcf_adolescentservices@dcf.nj.gov to connect to support. In order to receive assistance, applicants will be required to complete an attestation of eligibility for SNAP, as well as confirm information about their time in foster care.
RWJBarnabas Health Announces $1M to Help Feed NJANS, Bridge Gap in Lapsed SNAP Funding
As the nation faces disruptions to federal food assistance benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), RWJBarnabas Health reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to combatting food insecurity in New Jersey by providing $1 million to support 14 local feeding organizations serving vulnerable communities across the state. For the health system, this is not simply a reaction to a moment of crisis, but a continuation of nearly two decades of intentional investment and partnership to ensure that residents have reliable access to nutritious food – today and for the long term.
“As both an anchor institution and a partner in our communities, we recognize that food and health are inseparable,” said Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “For years, we have proudly partnered with the State and invested in programs that ensure individuals and families have access to healthy food. We are doubling down on that commitment at a time of increased pressures on households when food assistance is at risk. Our contribution is a bridge to help support families and local feeding organizations meet immediate needs while we continue investing in and building out the infrastructure to support them over the long term.”
Over 800,000 New Jerseyans and nearly half a million households rely on SNAP benefits, according to state statistics, with approximately half being children and one-third being people with disabilities.
Food assistance programs like SNAP and other federal supports play a critical role in the health and wellbeing of low-income families. When these benefits are delayed or paused, households that rely on them may face immediate hardship.
“No one deserves to go hungry, and it is unthinkable that those in charge of our federal government are allowing vital lifelines like SNAP to be disrupted,” said Acting New Jersey Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “By stepping up with donations big and small, RWJBarnabas Health and people across the state are showing New Jersey’s true colors. When our neighbors need help, we pitch in.”
Looking for More Information on SNAP and the Federal Government Shutdown?
Get the latest details on how the federal shutdown is impacting SNAP, along with food assistance resources, and information about what the Murphy Administration is doing to help support New Jersey families at nj.gov/snapshutdown.