Declaration Of Emergency to Address Federal Funding Deficiencies Impacting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

WHEREAS, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a critical federal program, combatting food insecurity by providing eligible, low-income households electronic benefits redeemable for SNAP-eligible foods at SNAP-eligible retailers; 

WHEREAS, under current law, the federal government pays 100% of SNAP nutrition benefits and 50% of state administrative costs, and Rhode Island has approximately 145,000 SNAP beneficiaries receiving a total of approximately $29 million in SNAP benefits per month;

WHEREAS, the United States Congress has failed to pass an appropriations bill, which has led to a lapse in appropriations – including for the SNAP program – and a federal government shut down; and 

WHEREAS, on October 10, 2025, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) communicated to state SNAP directors that, as a result of Congress’s failure to pass appropriations, the federal government had insufficient funds to cover the November 2025 SNAP benefits;

WHEREAS, on October 16, 2025, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the SNAP program would “run out of money in two weeks,” and – despite the availability of alternative federal funding sources to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of this critical anti-hunger program for vulnerable families – the Trump administration has failed to commit adequate funds to satisfy the federal SNAP program funding commitment; 

WHEREAS, on October 24, 2025, USDA confirmed in a written notice to state administrators that the federal government would not commit USDA contingency funds to fund November SNAP benefits, nor identify alternative supplemental funding sources;

WHEREAS, the federal funding lapse for the SNAP program will have a significant and harmful effect on the State of Rhode Island and necessitates measures to protect the health, safety, and resources of Rhode Island’s residents, especially food-insecure SNAP recipients;

WHEREAS, food insecurity and economic hardship resulting from the failure to fund the SNAP program will also increase demand on charitable food providers, which play a critical role in combatting hunger in Rhode Island;

WHEREAS, Rhode Island General Laws § 30-15-9(e)(1) permits the Governor to suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business, or the orders, rules, or regulations of any state agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this emergency; and 

WHEREAS, Rhode Island General Laws § 30-15-9(e)(2) permits the Governor to use all available resources of state government to cope with this emergency. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DANIEL J. MCKEE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island, pursuant to Article IX of the Rhode Island Constitution and the Rhode Island General Laws, including, but not limited to, Title 30, Chapter 15, do hereby order and direct the following: 

1. A state of emergency is declared for the State of Rhode Island due to the dangers to the health, safety, and resources of the people of Rhode Island posed by the lapse in federal appropriations to fund the SNAP program;
    
2. The Department of Human Services is directed to work with the Department of Administration, Office of Management and Budget, to immediately take all necessary actions to provide emergency food assistance to certain designated SNAP-eligible households by supplementing the unavailable SNAP benefit disbursements, as agreed upon and to the extent possible, until the lapse in federal SNAP funding ends.  This relief shall be disbursed following the same eligibility standards as SNAP benefits, at minimum, and in compliance with any other eligibility requirements that may govern the supplemental funding source(s);
    
3. Any provision of Rhode Island General Laws or regulation that would otherwise restrict or delay the reallocation of state funds for this emergency use is hereby suspended for the duration of this Order to the extent necessary to effectuate its purposes;
    
4. As of the date of this order, no person, firm, or corporation shall increase the price of food and commodities available for purchase under the SNAP program unless it is in the normal course of business through market fluctuations. Pursuant to section 6-13-21 of the Rhode Island General Laws, it shall be an unfair sales practice for individuals or retailers to participate in price gouging for any other essential commodity during the pendency of this emergency.
    
5. Pursuant to the emergency powers granted by the Rhode Island General Laws, and any other applicable provisions of state or federal law, I may, from time to time, issue additional recommendations, directions, and orders as circumstances require, either written or verbal.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

So Ordered:

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Daniel J. McKee
Governor