WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has admitted it made a mistake in its calculation of how much to cut food benefits this month because of the government shutdown.
In new guidance to state agencies that distribute food benefits, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would aim to reduce maximum benefits by only 35% instead of an earlier plan to cut them by 50%.
“The maximum allotments are being reduced by 35 percent instead of 50 percent, so that the maximum allotments for November 2025 will be 65 percent of the typical maximum allotments,” the USDA said in a memo accompanying the new guidance.
More than 42 million people in 22 million households receive benefits each month. Already, November benefits have been delayed for millions.
In a statement, the USDA said it found more money in its rainy day fund.
