Federal Judge Orders Full SNAP Benefits Restored Amid Government Shutdown
A federal judge today ordered the Trump administration to immediately restore full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November, rejecting a plan to provide partial funding to the program serving 42 million Americans during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.
During a hearing in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, Judge Jack McConnell stated, “People have gone without for too long,” and mandated the administration utilize funding sources previously deemed unavailable. McConnell emphasized the potential for widespread hardship, stating, “The evidence shows that people will go hungry, food pantries will be overburdened, and needless suffering will occur” if SNAP funding remains incomplete. Last weekend marked the first time in U.S. history that SNAP benefits lapsed.
The ruling follows a lawsuit brought by a coalition of cities, non-profit organizations, unions, and businesses seeking to compel the administration to utilize a $4.65 billion congressionally authorized contingency fund. The total cost of full SNAP benefits for November is approximately $8 billion. The administration had initially proposed funding only 50%, then 65%, of benefits, citing restrictions on accessing funds from programs like the Child Nutrition Program. McConnell criticized the Department of Agriculture’s decision not to utilize Section 32 funds, calling it “arbitrary and capricious.” The lapse in benefits has created significant uncertainty for families relying on food assistance, potentially exacerbating food insecurity across the nation. You can learn more about SNAP eligibility requirements at the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.
The judge previously blocked the administration from halting SNAP benefits last Friday, directing them to pay benefits from the contingency fund “as soon as possible.” Officials indicated they would comply with the order, but did not specify a timeline for full benefit distribution beyond the Friday deadline.
