While the administration insists the funding freeze does not apply to direct payments like Social Security and Medicaid, SNAP benefits are in a gray area. Experts interpret the ambiguous language in the memo as potentially impacting programs administered through state and local governments.

Many are unclear on how sweeping the federal funding freeze is intended to be. Here are programs it could affect.

Commonly referred to as "food stamps," SNAP benefits are administered nationwide to low- and no-income households that would otherwise struggle to purchase groceries. In 2023, the program served an average of 42.1 million people per month, or 12.6 percent of U.S. residents.

President Donald Trump issued a memo ordering a freezing of federal funds. After lawsuits and a federal judge issuing an injunction, the memo was rescinded.

The spending freeze on federal assistance could affect everything from aid to nonprofits, universities, small business loans and state and local government grants.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, during her first press briefing, faced a barrage of questions on the administration's freeze on federal aid programs.

The order sparked quick pushback from Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill, who said Trump was trampling on the power of the purse given to Congress.