Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Gov. Murphy declares state of emergency over SNAP suspension
- +800,000 New Jerseyans face food insecurity from halted aid
- New task force will coordinate emergency food access statewide
- Two federal judges rule SNAP funding must continue amid shutdown
Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency in New Jersey effective midnight Nov. 1. The move comes in response to the Trump administration’s suspension of federal food assistance benefits.
The Democratic governor issued an executive order Oct. 31. EO 402 establishes a coordinated statewide response to ensure food access for the more than 800,000 New Jerseyans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Murphy said in a statement, “The Trump Administration‘s decision to suspend benefits has created a clear and present threat to the health and safety of our residents. We will not stand by while families face hunger. That is why our state will mobilize every available resource to strengthen our food access networks banks, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure that every resident has access to the meals they need.
Nearly half of the people affected in New Jersey are children, 1 in 3 have a disability and 1 in 5 is 60 or older, according to the state.
‘Unethical and illegal’
Under a separate executive order unveiled Oct. 31, Murphy also created a task force to organize the state’s handling of the “the acute food insecurity crisis caused by the federal government shutdown and the unprecedented suspension of SNAP benefits.”
According to the order, the group is responsible for monitoring the situation. It will also work to determine how best to deploy available resources in coordination with social services and state-funded emergency food organizations across the state’s 21 counties.
The task force will also:
- Compile resources for residents who have had SNAP benefits cut,
- Make recommendations on how to mitigate the health and economic impacts of suspension, and
- Steer philanthropic donations to assist those in need.
Murphy commented, “The Trump Administration’s decision to suspend SNAP funding as the government shutdown drags on is both unethical and illegal. It will have a disastrous impact on hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans who will go hungry without their benefits, and our most vulnerable communities – including our children, seniors, and residents with disabilities – will be hit the hardest.”
“While I am continuing to call on President Trump and Washington Republicans for a swift resolution to this entirely avoidable food insecurity crisis, today’s Executive Order ensures New Jersey is mobilizing to mitigate harm to our residents,” he stated.
While I am continuing to call on President Trump and Washington Republicans for a swift resolution to this entirely avoidable food insecurity crisis, today’s Executive Order ensures New Jersey is mobilizing to mitigate harm to our residents.
– Gov. Phil Murphy
No appeal planned
Governors in Pennsylvania, New York, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Virginia and Delaware have also declared a state of emergency in recent days.
Murphy’s announcements came hours after two federal judges ruled that the federal government must continue to fund SNAP using $5.25 billion in contingency funds during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The United States Department of Agriculture has until Nov. 3 to inform the court whether it will resume benefits and outline a funding timeline.
During a Nov. 2 appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the administration will not appeal the rulings. He also said food aid benefits could begin flowing by the middle of this week.
New Jersey was among a coalition of 26 jurisdictions that sued the USDA for unlawfully suspending SNAP.
Varied effects
In a statement following the ruling, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said, “From the beginning, we have said that the Trump Administration’s attempt to cut over 800,000 New Jerseyans from SNAP benefits that keep food on the table for them was blatantly illegal, and today the court agreed with us. While this fight is not yet over, this is a critical development in our fight to prevent New Jersey families from being harmed by the Trump Administration’s political games. We intend to ensure that this order is complied with and that our residents are no longer at risk of their benefits being cut off.”
Often referred to as “food stamps,” SNAP serves roughly 42 million low-income Americans. Since states administer the federally funded program, the shutdown’s impact on SNAP varies.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health, local SNAP benefits have full funding through Oct. 31. For households that are dual-enrolled in both SNAP and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, the state projects that, based on normal spending, WIC benefits and services will continue without interruption through the end of November.
Info for SNAP recipients
Murphy released $42.5 million in food and hunger grants Oct. 30 to the state’s six largest food banks in anticipation of a lapse in SNAP benefits.
The funds are being drawn from $85 million set aside for food banks in the fiscal year 2026 budget, the governor’s office has said.
According to the state, SNAP recipients who have unspent funds in their account will still be able to access that money. They are encouraged to check their balances online here.
Residents seeking assistance can visit NJ211.org or call 211 for statewide emergency resources, including food pantries and community kitchens. Many pantries offer fresh produce, shelf-stable goods, and shopping appointments.
