A federal appeals court has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to halt full SNAP funding during the government shutdown, ensuring 42 million low-income Americans receive complete food benefits for November.
Key Takeaways
- Court upholds order for full SNAP benefits during shutdown
- 42 million low-income Americans affected
- $4 billion released for November benefits
- States already issuing full payments
The Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the administration’s appeal on Friday, just hours after the USDA informed states it would fully fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits as ordered by a Rhode Island judge.
This marks the first time in SNAP’s 60-year history that benefits lapsed at the start of November. Many recipients had turned to strained food pantries and were making difficult choices like skipping medications to manage tight budgets.
States Move Quickly to Distribute Aid
Several states including New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts immediately directed their agencies to issue full federal SNAP benefits for November following the USDA memo.
“President Trump should never have put the American people in this position,” Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, said in a statement.
Legal Battle Over Funding
The court ruling came despite the Justice Department’s urgent request to block Judge McConnell’s order requiring the USDA to use $4 billion set aside for other purposes to ensure full November benefits.
Judge McConnell, appointed by President Barack Obama, had previously ruled the administration must tap at least $5.25 billion in emergency funding for partial SNAP benefits. The program typically costs $8.5-9 billion monthly.
In Thursday’s decision, McConnell agreed with plaintiffs represented by Democracy Forward that the USDA failed to consider how long states would need to adjust systems for reduced benefits, potentially causing prolonged delays.
The judge accused the Trump administration of withholding SNAP benefits for .
Plaintiffs argued in their Friday brief that nearly one in eight Americans would suffer harm if the court allowed anything less than full benefit payments to proceed.
