PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Trump administration is reversing course, saying it will use more than $4.5 billion in contingency funds to help pay for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits this month.

Meanwhile, the Oregon Department of Human Services is also working on giving out funding after Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared a food emergency last week.

As of Monday, Nov. 3, no SNAP benefits have been distributed in Oregon, and it is unclear when they will.

Two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use contingency funds to help pay for SNAP. Patrick Penn, who oversees the program, said they will use that funding in a sworn declaration to the judge in Rhode Island.

The $4.6 billion will cover 50% of eligible households' allotments, according to Penn's declaration

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