WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation recognizes the national-level developments related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and reaffirms our commitment at the tribal level to ensure our people are protected.
In Washington, the Trump Administration has announced that it will partially fund the federal SNAP program after federal court rulings required continued benefit payments during the federal government shutdown. At the same time, major legislative changes backed by the Administration are expected to expand work requirements and reduce eligibility for SNAP, with an estimated 2.4 million fewer participants impacted nationally.
Against this backdrop, the Navajo Nation is moving proactively:
- The Navajo Nation Department of Health is working closely with the World Food Bank for distribution efforts in partnership with the Navajo Department of Emergency Management (NDEM) and the Office of the President & Vice-President (OPVP).
- The Division of Children and Family Services is monitoring the situation and has operational plans ready for immediate activation to support vulnerable households.
- OPVP’s community representatives are actively engaging with chapter houses to support local mitigation planning, and we are coordinating with the Commission on Emergency Management in the coming weeks to strengthen our food security strategies.
“We are fully committed to making sure that no Navajo family misses a meal,” said President Nygren. “Even as national policy shifts, our focus is on the ground: leveraging our tribal partnerships, mobilizing resources locally, and working day and night to safeguard our people.”