Trump Administration To Use Emergency Funds For Partial Food Stamp Payments. The Trump administration says it will tap emergency funds to provide partial food stamp benefits to more than 42 million Americans, as the government shutdown shows no sign of ending. The US Department of Agriculture confirmed in a court filing that recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will receive only half their normal monthly allotment. The move comes after federal judges ordered the USDA to use $5.25 billion in emergency reserves to issue partial payments with states expected to receive guidance on distribution by the end of Monday. The SNAP programme — which costs around $8 billion a month — has been in limbo since the shutdown began on October 1, leaving millions uncertain about their benefits. While individual states manage the system, the funding comes from the federal government, which remains largely frozen as the budget impasse drags on. [Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT]