Advocates want state to step in on SNAP; Gianforte says it's federal responsibility

HELENA — On Nov. 1, federal authorities say funding will run out for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP , which helps lower-income families pay for food. They’ve directed states like Montana not to issue SNAP benefits during the government shutdown.

In some states, though, leaders have tried to find ways to use state money to keep benefits flowing temporarily. Now, some advocates and lawmakers want Montana to do the same – but Gov. Greg Gianforte says his administration doesn’t intend to take that step.

“This is a federal program, and we need the federal government to fund it,” he told MTN Tuesday.

(Watch the video to hear more about the debate over SNAP.) Montana leaders discuss potential loss of SNAP funding

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human S