Social Security benefits, Medicare payments, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) should mostly continue as normal in the face of a federal funds freeze ordered Monday by the Trump Administration.
As the Oklahoma House Tribal and External Affairs Leader, Representative Scott Fetgatter is working with Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation and state agencies to assess possible impacts due to the freeze. He has been reassured that many social welfare programs should not be impacted.
“I’m working with state agencies and Oklahoma members of Congress to make sure the needs of Oklahomans are met,” Fetgatter said. “I appreciate President Trump wanting to do due diligence to ensure federal funds are being spent appropriately, but I also want to make sure those who rely on Social Security benefits, Medicare or other forms of aid are not left without care.”
More than 92,000 Oklahomans receive social security payments. More than 800,000 Oklahomans are enrolled in Medicare. About 17% of Oklahomans receive SNAP benefits to help pay for groceries.
Fetgatter points to a memo from the Office of the President which indicates the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is working quickly to determine which programs are inconsistent with the President’s executive orders. Some of the pauses are shorter than a day. Others will have to be more thoroughly vetted by the Trump Administration.
The Okmulgee Republican is awaiting word from the state’s Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) on its survey of state agencies to assess what impacts the funding pause might have.
Fetgatter’s work has the approval of House Speaker Kyle Hilbert.
“Our nation’s federal debt is out of control, so we are thankful to have President Trump back in the White House to scrutinize all federal spending and fulfill his campaign promise to get our national economy back on track. We have been in touch with our federal delegation and have been assured that Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP and funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance and other similar programs will not be impacted by this temporary pause. Rep. Fetgatter will continue to work with our federal delegation to better understand the timeline and impact of this temporary pause to ensure critical services to Oklahomans continue as uninterrupted as possible,” said Hilbert.
A memo from the OMB issued on Tuesday specifically stated that student loans, SNAP benefits, Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare are excluded from the pause.
