Nevada Senate Democrats have announced a contingency plan to address the suspension of federal SNAP (food stamp) benefits in the state, which has left nearly 500,000 Nevadans at risk of losing food assistance due to the federal government shutdown.
If Governor Joe Lombardo calls a special legislative session, Democrats plan to request up to $136.5 million to create an emergency state program that would fully supplement the paused federal SNAP benefits through December, if needed. The funding would include $45.5 million to cover the portion of November SNAP benefits not funded by the federal government—since the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated it could only provide about half of this month’s benefits—and an additional $91 million for December, should the shutdown continue.
Because of federal restrictions, Nevada cannot directly add state money to existing federal EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards without risking future participation in the SNAP program. Instead, the proposal would establish a separate, state-administered benefit that uses the same EBT vendor framework to provide cash assistance to current SNAP recipients, mirroring emergency efforts in Louisiana and Virginia. This workaround would avoid conflicting with federal regulations and maintain the integrity of the SNAP program for the future.
The state has already provided nearly $40 million to support two major Nevada food banks in the days before the November 1 pause, as an emergency measure.
The situation remains fluid, with legal challenges pending. Two federal courts have ordered the Trump administration to continue SNAP funding, but President Trump has signaled reluctance to release further funds, tying benefit restoration to reopening the federal government.
Governor Lombardo and Nevada officials have said that while the state is prepared to act, technical and legal barriers exist due to SNAP being administered through a federal-private vendor system with restricted access to recipient data. Implementing a new state benefit program could take approximately six weeks to set up.
Attorney General Aaron Ford has joined lawsuits seeking to compel the federal government to release SNAP benefits, but state leaders warn that even if court orders are followed, only partial benefits are guaranteed for November, and further disruptions may occur if the shutdown persists.
The Nevada Senate Democrats’ plan aims to ensure continued food assistance for vulnerable residents during the federal funding lapse, while maintaining compliance with federal law and protecting future SNAP participation.