Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have issued rulings against the Trump administration's plan to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) had announced that funds would not be distributed due to the ongoing government shutdown, citing a lack of resources. These legal actions follow lawsuits from states, cities, and non-governmental organizations challenging the proposed halt in funding for the program, which serves over 40 million low-income Americans.
Judicial Rulings on SNAP Benefits
A federal judge in Massachusetts ordered the administration to access a roughly $6 billion emergency contingency fund for SNAP. The judge also mandated a report back to the court by Monday regarding the authorization of at least partial benefits for November, having previously ruled that the administration is legally required to pay partial benefits.
Separately, a Rhode Island judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, stating that the plan to suspend SNAP was "likely unlawful." This decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by several U.S. cities and non-governmental organizations.
Administration's Position and Program Details
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) had stated earlier in the week that food assistance funds would not be distributed in November due to the ongoing government shutdown, citing that available funds had been depleted.
The SNAP program functions by providing beneficiaries with reloadable debit cards that can be used to purchase essential grocery items. On average, a family of four receives $715 per month, which equates to approximately $6 per day per person. States are responsible for administering these benefits, utilizing funds from the federal government. The federal government has been unfunded and shut down since October 1.
The federal government has indicated that states will not be reimbursed if they use their own funds to cover any shortfalls in benefit payments.
Legal Challenges and Government Shutdown Context
Half of U.S. states initiated lawsuits against the Trump administration, aiming to compel the use of the aforementioned emergency contingency fund for SNAP, also known as food stamps.
The U.S. government shutdown is nearing its second month. Republicans and Democrats have attributed blame to each other for the shutdown, and no significant progress towards a resolution has been reported.