President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed into law funding legislation that ended the longest-ever government shutdown in U.S. history and funds SNAP and WIC until the end of September 2026.
The bill extends current funding levels for most federal government operations through January 2026 and funds several agencies, including the USDA, through the remainder of the federal government’s current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, 2026.
The USDA funding includes $107.5 billion for SNAP — about 8% more than the program’s fiscal 2024 level. It also includes $8.2 billion for WIC, almost 8% more than the allotted amount for fiscal 2025. The measure also reimburses the contingency reserves for WIC and SNAP to account for expenditures during the government shutdown.
The deal buys Congress time to hash out spending and brings more financial security to SNAP following a tumultuous battle during the shutdown over how to cover the food aid program with emergency funds.
The National Grocers Association and FMI — The Food Industry Association said in separate statements that the reopening of the government and fully restoring federal funding of SNAP provides stability for consumers receiving food assistance.
“We are proud of the way our retailer and supplier members stepped up during this difficult time to support their communities through a variety of food and household product donation programs, discounted pricing and enhanced funding for neighborhood organizations,” FMI Chief Public Policy Officer Jennifer Hatcher said in a statement.
The most recent USDA data shows nearly 42 million people participated in SNAP and received an average of $188 in May. About 39% of SNAP recipients are children under the age of 18, according to the National Education Policy Center.
