Attorney General Jeff Jackson Sues USDA for Withholding More than $230 Million in Monthly Food Assistance to NC...

NCDOJ PRESS RELEASE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Email: nahmed@ncdoj.gov
Phone: 919-538-2809

RALEIGH – Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of Management and Budget for refusing to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown and withholding food assistance for 1.4 million North Carolinians, including nearly 600,000 children, more than 40,000 of whom are under 18 months old. This would be the first time ever that SNAP benefits have been delayed, even though USDA has at least $6 billion in contingency funds from Congress to use in emergencies like this one.

“Nearly 600,000 children in our state could be without food in a few days because USDA is playing an illegal game of shutdown politics,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “They have emergency money to help feed children during this shutdown, and they’re refusing to spend it. I warned them last week that I would take them to court if they tried to hurt our kids, and today that’s what we’re doing.”

On the eve of the shutdown on Sept. 30, USDA assured states that contingency funds could be used to continue funding the SNAP program. But on Oct. 24, USDA reversed course and sent a memo to the states ordering them to suspend all November SNAP payments and any later payments. USDA claims that this is because of the government shutdown. Yet, since the shutdown began, the same agency has used its authority to give out billions for other programs and move around funds to help fund nutritional benefits for infants and pregnant women. SNAP monthly payments are about $175 per North Carolinian to help cover the most basic food and nutrition needs.

This delay in benefits is going to be devastating for North Carolina families and kids. Families who are already facing economic pressures because of the shutdown have been relying on food banks for support. Food banks are already straining to meet the demand after USDA cut $500 million nationwide in food deliveries in March.

Attorney General Jackson warned USDA last week that withholding these funds would risk further legal action. His lawsuit today alleges that the agency is violating the Administrative Procedure Act and the SNAP Act. He’s asking the court to require USDA to pay out SNAP benefits and cancel the USDA’s previous unlawful orders to the states. Attorney General Jackson is also filing a temporary restraining order later today asking the court to immediately turn benefits back on.

“The federal government is denying access to food for more than 1.4 million North Carolinians, including children, veterans, and people with disabilities,” said Governor Josh Stein. “The USDA must take immediate action to keep families from going hungry as it is required to do by law, and I thank Attorney General Jackson for standing up to secure these critical resources.”

“Food is foundational to our health and well-being – more than 1.4 million people in North Carolina depend on this critical program to avoid hunger and help put food on the table,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “We hope for a quick resolution so people in North Carolina, especially children, don’t go hungry. NCDHHS is ready to issue benefits as soon as federal funding is provided.”

If North Carolinians need food assistance during this uncertain time, you may consider reaching out to the following resources:

Find a food pantry near you through Feeding America.
Call 2-1-1. This United Way service can help you find food assistance in your area.
Contact your county’s department of social services to see if they have additional food assistance programs.
View food access maps from NCDHHS here.
Use the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina’s food finder tool.
North Carolinians may also consider donating to local food pantries and community organizations to help out their neighbors during this time.

Attorney General Jackson is filing this lawsuit alongside the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania have also joined.

A copy of the complaint is available here.

A copy of the temporary restraining order is available here.

A copy of NCDHHS’ declaration is available here.

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https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-sues-usda-for-withholding-more-than-230-million-in-monthly-food-assistance-to-north-carolinians-including-600000-children/