All 43 Democratic members of the Florida legislature reached out to Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday, urging him to declare a state of emergency due to the impending loss of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding.
Starting Saturday, benefits for millions are set to expire amid the extended government shutdown.
“This isn’t just conjecture; this is happening,” stated the lawmakers, led by House Minority Leader Fentris Driskell and Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman. “We’re only days away from a significant hunger crisis that could leave families without food during the holidays. The state cannot just sit back and do nothing.”
Data from a think tank focused on addressing poverty reveals that over 2.9 million Floridians, around 13 percent of the state’s population, relied on SNAP benefits last year. Nationally, about 41.7 million individuals were receiving assistance each month during that same timeframe.
The letter requests DeSantis to declare a state of emergency concerning food insecurity. This declaration would empower state agencies to secure food supplies. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund would coordinate with local food banks and community organizations to distribute relief supplies and implement the Universal School Lunch Program throughout the duration of the shutdown.
According to DeSantis’ budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, the Preparedness and Response Fund holds $1 billion.
“Florida is capable of responding to this situation financially. What we require now is the moral commitment to act,” the lawmakers conveyed.
Recently, the Department of Agriculture, which allocates SNAP funding, announced it wouldn’t tap into over $5 billion in emergency funds to address a portion of the upcoming month’s estimated $9.2 billion in benefits. The agency contended that such funds are reserved for unforeseen events, like natural disasters.
Interestingly, a prior announcement indicated that the USDA is mandated to utilize emergency funds for SNAP benefits during government shutdowns, creating a contradiction.
As the end of October approaches, concerns are growing. The Department of Children and Families (DCF), which manages the state’s SNAP program, noted that benefits for November will not be distributed until current funds are depleted.
However, it clarified that existing SNAP benefits on EBT cards can still be used. When questioned about the usability of remaining benefits starting Saturday, DCF indicated, “Current SNAP benefits can continue to be used.”
When DeSantis was asked about this situation during a recent press conference, he seemed to shift focus, questioning whether Democrats had reached out to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to call for an end to the filibuster, suggesting that issues like government spending are complex and not one-sided.
