FEDERAL FUNDING FREEZE FROM TRUMP THREATENS SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES FOR VETS


By Buddy Blouin
federal funding trump

Veterans could lose access to suicide prevention help among many other critical resources as President Donald Trump works to freeze federal funding to programs in a massive shake-up. The move has been blocked and should end up in a complex, potentially lengthy legal process but the issues could also persist. If you’re feeling confused, you’re not alone. There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding essential programs households rely on to make ends meet, access healthcare, and more.

Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze to Cut Veteran Resources

A federal funding freeze was put on hold after a judge blocked Trump’s orders that would have otherwise suspended federal grants and loans.

There is almost no area untouched when it comes to the freeze, as everything from Medicaid to funding for farmers could theoretically be affected by the decision.

If it goes through, there are hundreds of programs that will be under review by the government, as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) work to cut unnecessary spending.

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January 27, 2025: Trump Issues Memo

A week after officially getting back into office, Trump’s administration issued a memo that helped define what the federal freeze would be; however, its scope could still be widespread.

The suspension of federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance would be helping in conjunction with the many Executive Orders from Trump that are fighting against immigrants, transgender people, abortion, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and more.

Speaking on the potential cuts, the OMB said that, "Social Security benefits, Medicare benefits, food stamps, welfare benefits, assistance that is going directly to individuals will not be impacted by this pause…”

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and "funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell Grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs," are also supposed to be unaffected by these measures, though early reports suggest otherwise.

Veteran Programs at Risk

The Defense Department is facing federal funding freezes which could hinder plenty of different Veteran programs ranging from housing programs to caregiving programs to grants for education and much more.

Despite being temporary, a slew of VA programs for cemeteries, education, recreation, healthcare, etc. are all being reviewed—in total, it’s about 50 programs.

This includes vital resources that help with suicide prevention in Veterans, a group with a well-documented need for such mental health services.

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Confused By Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze? You’re Not Alone

What’s being frozen and what’s still available is as clear as mud in the early stages of Trump’s plan.

Unfortunately, the lack of clarity is only adding to the pressures felt by the military community, which were underway, blocked, and yet there still may be some effects underway.

For example, despite telling the public not to worry about Medicaid being one of the programs frozen, multiple agencies and organizations have reported being unable to access the online system providing the program with money—dozens of states lost access to the Medicaid program as well.

This is the same system that delivers funding for other programs, touching education and healthcare in multiple ways.

Opponents of these measures are ramping up pressure to not just prevent the decisions in the present but for the future, with lawsuits already being filed.

So much continues and with potentially devastating impacts on aid for food, domestic violence shelters, university research, suicide hotlines, and more, this is a story that encompasses the Veteran community through multiple approaches.

It’s possible that the Supreme Court will need to get involved as the federal funding freeze is a sweeping decision from Trump that is altering access to government programs at every level.

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