OLYMPIA, Wash. – More than 250,000 Washington households have received their full SNAP benefits for November. Governor Bob Ferguson marked the occasion with a statement praising the development and criticizing President Trump’s administration for allegedly continuing to work against food assistance.
“Thanks to multiple lawsuits, and repeated court orders, hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians across our state finally have the SNAP benefits they need to put food on the table,” Governor Ferguson stated. “Shockingly, this administration continues to work to withhold food assistance from those who need it most. President Trump needs to stop fighting to keep food from hungry families, and focus on re-opening the government.”
This follows Thursday’s ruling by Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island, who ordered the Trump Administration to fully fund SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million low-income Americans in November, including nearly one million Washington residents.
According to the Office of the Governor, all remaining Washington beneficiaries are expected to receive their November SNAP benefits in full on their usual dates. However, with the Trump Administration appealing Judge McConnell Jr.’s order, the future of SNAP benefits remains uncertain.
The Governor’s Office emphasized the reliance of rural Washington, including Yakima County, on federal SNAP benefits. In Yakima County, 28% of residents rely on SNAP. Meanwhile, food banks and pantries across the state are struggling with delayed food assistance and demand increasing as food costs continue to rise.
Anyone seeking assistance to locate food resources in their area can visit the Washington Department of Agriculture’s website, or call 360-725-5640.
