SNAP

After weeks of delays, about 700,000 Tennesseans are starting to get their full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits.

Despite the reopening of the federal government, refugees who have resettled in the U.S. no longer qualify for SNAP benefits. The Republican-backed "Big Beautiful Bill" signed into law in July revoked a longtime policy of allowing refugees food assistance under SNAP.

Now that the federal government shutdown is over, Kentucky is working to issue full SNAP benefits to the 600,000 residents who receive food assistance.

President Donald Trump’s administration asked a federal appeals court Friday to block a judge’s order that it distribute November’s full monthly SNAP benefits amid a U.S. government shutdown, even as at least some states said they were moving quickly to get the money to people.

Gov. Andy Beshear is sending the National Guard to help staff food banks as about 600,000 Kentuckians experience delays in SNAP benefits from the federal government.

Food pantries and other nonprofits that help keep people in need fed are expecting an increase in demand for services with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients facing delays in getting their benefits – and now they’re expected to get less than the full amount of aid for this month.

Gov. Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency and pledged state funds to support Kentucky food banks.

Kentucky Public Radio spoke with food banks across the state bracing for a surge in clients ahead of the Nov. 1 suspension of federal food assistance.

There are several levers federal and state officials could pull to keep 700,000 Tennesseans from losing food aid. But as of now, it seems no one is touching them.

Alongside Gov. Andy Beshear, more than two dozen Democratic attorneys general and governors are suing the Trump administration over plans to suspend food assistance benefits as the federal government shutdown drags on.