This bill makes sure that two critical food assistance programs—SNAP (food stamps) and WIC (nutrition assistance for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children)—keep running without interruption if the government runs out of money to fund them. Here's what that means in practical terms: if Congress doesn't pass a budget for the Department of Agriculture by the start of the next fiscal year, this bill automatically provides the money needed to keep these programs going so people don't lose their benefits.

The bill covers three main things. First, it ensures SNAP recipients continue getting their monthly food assistance benefits without any gaps. Second, it keeps WIC running for eligible women, infants, and children in all 50 states, plus it maintains nutrition assistance programs in Puerto Rico and American Samoa. Third, if there was already a lapse in funding that caused people to miss benefits starting September 30, 2025, this bill provides money to make up those missed payments.

The funding stays available until either Congress passes a full budget for the Agriculture Department or until September 30, 2026—whichever comes first. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to reimburse states for any costs they had to cover out of their own pockets while keeping these programs running during a funding gap, as long as they followed all the federal rules. Essentially, this is a safety net to prevent millions of Americans from losing access to food assistance during government budget disputes.

Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025

Luján, Ben Ray

Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue operating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and a related block grant program if there is a lapse in FY2026 appropriations for USDA.Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to USDA for any period in which legislation to provide FY2026 interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations for USDA has not been enacted. If such a lapse in appropriations occurs, the bill provides the appropriations that are necessary to continue<ul><li>providing uninterrupted SNAP benefits,</li><li>providing consolidated block grants to Puerto Rico and American Samoa for nutrition assistance programs, and</li><li>carrying out&nbsp;WIC without interruption.</li></ul>In addition, the bill provides appropriations to pay any benefits under these programs that were missed on or after September 30, 2025, and before this bill is enacted.The appropriations for these purposes are available until the earlier of (1) the&nbsp;enactment into law of legislation to provide FY2026 appropriations for USDA (including continuing appropriations), or (2) September 30, 2026.&nbsp;The bill also requires USDA to use the funds provided by this bill to reimburse state agencies for costs that were incurred to carry out these programs during a lapse in appropriations, to the extent that the programs were carried out in accordance with federal law (including regulations) during the lapse.&nbsp;