Thousands of military families who receive government benefits are facing a food insecurity cliff with uncertainty over funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Two federal judges on Friday ordered the Trump administration to tap into billions of dollars in emergency funds to at least partially cover food stamp benefits for more than 42 million Americans in November, but that will not cover all of the needed payments for the month.

Trump late Friday signaled he would provide moneys from the emergency fund, but he asked the courts for direction on how to legally do so.

The uncertainty could plunge thousands of service members — particularly younger troops who can sometimes struggle to cover the cost of living with their lower paychecks — into crisis.

“We're hearing in real time stories from families that are incredibly alarming,” said Kara Pappas, chief advancement officer of the nonprofit Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN).

Pappas, a military spouse herself, said her organization is being contacted by families that are already living paycheck to paycheck, particularly junior enlisted families, or those with the Guard or Reserve “who are often without the same access to base resources and have been the first to miss pay during these disruptions.”

Though the Trump administration has managed to cobble together the funds necessary to make sure active-duty and mobilized National Guard and Reserve troops receive their end-of-the month paychecks Friday, it might not cover all household costs for many families thanks to a........

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