After SNAP benefits were halted Saturday, the USDA reminded retailers they must comply with the Equal Treatment Rule, which bars special food discounts for SNAP/EBT customers.

The Trump administration said in a court filing that it would use a reserve to cover "50% of eligible households’ current allotments."

The calls to the Republican governor came as the food stamp program was set to run out of funding amid the government shutdown.

The Central Texas Food Bank expects to spend roughly four times its monthly budget to support Austin-area SNAP recipients.

Texas is home to 254 counties—more than any other U.S. state—and has wide disparities in SNAP enrollment. According to a September 2025 report from Texas Health and Human Services, Lamar County had the highest enrollment at 29.5 percent of residents, while King County had the lowest at 0.7 percent.

Food City announced the launch of the Food City Community Support Gift Card program, aimed at assisting SNAP recipients and federal government employees affecte

The money will go to the North Texas Food Bank and food boxes for furloughed federal workers and for Dallas County residents who are right now without SNAP benefits and for now will get less than what they normally receive.

Democrats argue Gov. Abbott has used his authority during COVID-19, the Uvalde shooting and border operations to free up emergency funds.