AT A GLANCE
- Two federal judges ruled the Trump administration must keep SNAP benefits funded during the ongoing government shutdown.
- The USDA had planned to halt payments on Nov. 1, affecting one in eight Americans.
- States and food banks had begun scrambling to fill the gap before the rulings.
- The administration must provide updates by Monday on its plans to comply.
Judges Order SNAP Payments to Continue Amid Shutdown
Two federal judges on Friday ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown, using available contingency funds to keep benefits flowing.
The decisions came just a day before the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was set to freeze payments, claiming it could no longer sustain the program amid the prolonged shutdown. The rulings ensure that SNAP, which provides food aid to roughly one in eight Americans, remains operational, at least temporarily.
The program’s potential suspension had caused widespread panic among states, food banks, and millions of recipients who rely on monthly assistance to purchase groceries. Some states had even announced plans to use their own emergency funds to continue limited food aid programs.
In Rhode Island, a federal judge ruled from the bench that the Trump administration must immediately fund SNAP using contingency money and provide an update by Monday on its progress. A second ruling out of Massachusetts similarly ordered the administration to confirm whether it intends to fund November benefits in full or partially through emergency reserves.
While the rulings were met with relief among advocates and local agencies, it remains unclear how quickly benefits will reach families. Reloading SNAP debit cards typically takes one to two weeks — a delay that could still leave millions temporarily short on food.
The administration is expected to appeal the decisions, setting up yet another legal battle in a shutdown already straining millions of Americans’ access to basic necessities.
This story will be updated as more information is released.
