Key Takeaways
- 25 states sue Trump administration over SNAP funding suspension
- 42 million Americans could lose food assistance by November 1
- First potential lapse in program’s 60-year history
- Emergency hearing scheduled for October 30
Twenty-five Democratic-led states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that could affect nearly 42 million Americans. The legal action demands the USDA tap into $6 billion in emergency contingency funds before November 1.
Legal Battle Over Food Assistance
New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading the coalition of 25 attorneys general, stated: “Millions of Americans are about to go hungry because the federal government has chosen to withhold food assistance it is legally obligated to provide.”
She emphasized that “SNAP is one of our nation’s most effective tools to fight hunger, and the USDA has the money to keep it running. There is no excuse for this administration to abandon families who rely on SNAP as a lifeline.”
Contradictory USDA Positions
The lawsuit reveals that the USDA initially planned to use contingency funds during funding gaps, as documented in a September memo. However, this document was removed from the agency’s website and replaced with a new memo claiming the funds were “not legally available to cover regular benefits.”
Plaintiffs argue the government is illegally blocking access to at least $6 billion in SNAP-specific contingency funds that could cover a significant portion of November benefits.
Unprecedented Program Suspension
If benefits are suspended this weekend, it would mark the first time in SNAP’s 60-year history that the federal government has allowed the program to lapse. Legal advocates describe the decision as “illegal, immoral, and cruel.”
Virginia Canter of Democracy Defenders Fund stated: “Congress created the SNAP contingency fund precisely to prevent hunger during funding lapses. Choosing not to use it is a deliberate decision to deny food to 42 million Americans legally entitled to benefits.”
Impact on Vulnerable Populations
SNAP serves as the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, with the majority of recipients being children, seniors, and veterans. Recipients typically receive about $188 per person monthly, or roughly $6 per day.
The program provides approximately nine meals for every one meal offered by food pantries. More than 3 million New York residents alone depend on SNAP benefits.
Food banks nationwide, already operating at capacity, are preparing for a potential surge in demand if SNAP benefits are suspended. The lawsuit warns that “tens of millions of Americans are on the cusp of crisis” as the November 1 deadline approaches.
A crucial court hearing is scheduled for October 30 to determine whether the administration must release emergency funds.
