WJCT, November 2025
SACHA PFEIFFER, HOST:
The antihunger benefits program known as SNAP is, as of today, on pause, and millions of Americans have not received money that they were counting on to buy groceries this weekend. That’s despite two federal judges ruling yesterday that the pause is unlawful. President Trump said last night he’s open to keeping SNAP going despite the government shutdown, but how or when that might happen is still unclear today. Jennifer Ludden is with us to explain where we are and how we got here. Hi, Jennifer.
JENNIFER LUDDEN, BYLINE: Hi there.
PFEIFFER: What are you hearing from SNAP recipients about what this means for them?
LUDDEN: Well, first, let’s just be clear, 42 million people in America are enrolled in SNAP. That’s 1 in 8 people potentially impacted by this disruption. Krystal Barrett (ph), who lives in Pleasant Grove, Alabama, is a mother of two boys. She told NPR, the program is a lifeline. And although she’s been trying to stock up on some foods, this pause is extremely stressful.
