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INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2025 A9fer (EBT) cards starting Nov. 11. Gov. Braun, in his statement, welcomed the end of the federal gridlock while placing blame for the delay on his political rivals in Washington, D.C.%u201cAfter weeks of gridlock, it%u2019s good to see some folks in D.C. finally come to their senses,%u201d Braun said. %u201cSenate Democrats held this up far too long, but they%u2019ve finally relented. SNAP benefits are on the way, and Indiana is well-positioned to distribute them as soon as possible.%u201dDespite this, the path to issuing even partial benefits has been marked by complexity. According to a separate release from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), the USDA%u2019s Food and Nutrition Service issued new guidance requiring a complete recalculation of benefits for all 274,000 SNAP households in Indiana.The new federal formula mandates that the maximum allotment for a household be reduced by 50%. Standard SNAP calculations assume households spend 30% of their net income on food, with benefits calculated by subtracting that amount from the maximum allotment. The FSSA acknowledged that this recalculation would delay November benefits by at least one week, even for the partial amounts.This technical hurdle underscores the confusion and administrative challenges stemming from the federal shutdown. Unlike some other states, Indiana%u2019s governor and state legislature did not take action to supplement SNAP with state dollars during the funding lapse, a point of sharp contention.State Representative Ed DeLaney (DIndianapolis) issued a statement that was sharply critical of the governor%u2019s strategy.%u201cThe governor has announced that partial SNAP payments will be made. He failed to note that these are not state dollars that will be distributed,%u201d DeLaney said. %u201cHe failed to note that the state has contributed nothing to the solutions of this problem. He failed to note that there will likely be delays and confusion.%u201dDeLaney emphasized the human impact, stating, %u201cPartial payments will not be enough to prevent families from going hungry. This mess will not be as easy to clean up as the governor is implying.%u201dHe also pointed to efforts by local township trustees who have been funding food banks to bridge the gap. %u201cThe governor would be much more helpful if he were doing the same. Instead, he blames one party among his former senate colleagues,%u201d DeLaney said. %u201cThis would be a good time to act like a statesman.%u201dThe Braun administration maintains that the state is prepared to issue the full SNAP benefit amount as soon as federal funding is fully restored. The FSSA stated it remains in close contact with federal partners and is prepared to respond quickly to any further policy changes.For the hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers facing a gap in food assistance, the immediate reality is one of uncertainty. The state is directing those in need of immediate food assistance to call 2-1-1 or contact their local food bank for help.The situation remains fluid, with the partial benefit distribution serving as a temporary stopgap. At the same time, the nation%u2019s capital untangles its budgetary impasse and its consequences for the most vulnerable citizens.Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Facebook and TikTok @HorsemenSportsMedia.limitations%u201d on federal authorities. The letter warned legal action if IPS did not comply. The Office of the Attorney General filed its lawsuit agains IPS on Nov. 6. The America First Policy Institute will be serving as special counsel for this case.In their statement, IPS board commissioners noted that they had only five business days to review and respond to the AG%u2019s complaint, stating that %u201cthese important issues deserve thoughtful, deliberative weighing of important legal rights %u2013 not impulsive, superficial efforts for political gain.%u201dUnited for safetyIPS board members said they stand in solidarity with the district in its commitment to creating %u201csafe, supportive and welcoming environments%u201d for students.%u201cThis fight is fundamentally about protecting our children,%u201d said IPS school board commissioner Ashley Thomas. %u201cOur youth are worthy of absolute safety, yet Attorney General Rokita chose to tap the alreadystrained financial resources of our district for an action that undermines that safety.%u201dMoore said the aim is for the district to comply, but she wants to be sure the law is being applied appropriately all while keeping the safety of the students in mind.%u201cIf we don%u2019t protect them, who will? Because they are in our care,%u201d Moore said.At IPS, and many other area schools, visitors must provide identification and have an approved purpose for their visit before accessing the school%u2019s premises. Further, consent from the parent or legal guardian is required by many schools for student pickup.Moore raised concerns that changes to safety protocols could negatively affect students throughout the state. Her background as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), advocating for youth involved with child services, has informed her of the need to ensure each student%u2019s safety from unauthorized pickups while at school. She referenced circumstances such as domestic disputes, trafficking and custody disagreements. Releasing a student to an unauthorized individual, or without the necessary documentation, could have serious consequences, Moore said.%u201cAny attempt to set a new, dangerous%u00a0statewide precedent%u00a0that sacrifices parental trust and due process for our children is one we must stand united against,%u201d Thomas said.In the call for unity, Thomas encourages people to sign the school board%u2019s petition. %u201cWe urge everyone %u2014 parents, staff, and community members across the State of Indiana %u2014 to stand with us now by signing our petition and spreading the word,%u201d Thomas said.Moore added, %u201cWhen politics overshadow students, unity matters. Anyone in our state can sign on and show support %u2014 because our kids deserve nothing less.%u201dTo sign the petition, visit change.org/p/standingin-solidarity-with-ips-protect-all-kids. Contact Editor-in-Chief Camike Jones at 317-762-7850.SEND A THANK YOU IN THE RECORDERThe Indianapolis Recorder invites our readers to send a special thank you message to an important person in their lives. Would you like to thank a friend, teacher, family member or mentor? Scan the QR code to fi ll out the form. Selected messages will be published in the Thanksgiving issue of the newspaper. You will be contacted if your message is selected for publication. Link for QR code: https://forms.gle/8sUTjGbihAeXdjHv8 SNAP%u00a8Continued from A1IPS%u00a8Continued from A1