In a major legal setback for the Trump administration, two federal judges have ruled that the government cannot suspend food aid for millions of low-income Americans during the ongoing government shutdown.
The rulings ensure that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits — commonly known as food stamps — must continue, using the available contingency funds. The judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island issued dual rulings after separate lawsuits challenged the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) move to halt food assistance payments starting November 1. The lawsuits were filed by states, nonprofit organizations, and workers’ unions arguing that millions of vulnerable Americans would face food insecurity if SNAP benefits were paused.
The judges agreed, ruling that the USDA’s refusal to utilize contingency funds was ‘arbitrary and capricious’. They ordered the administration to immediately use available emergency funds to continue payments and to provide a compliance plan by Monday.
SNAP Benefits and Shutdown Politics
- SNAP, the nation’s largest food assistance program, provides monthly benefits to over 42 million Americans, helping families with incomes below 130% of the federal poverty line.
- That’s around $ 1632 per month for a single-person household or $2,215 for a two-person household in most states.
The ongoing government shutdown, which began on October 1, has frozen many federal operations after Congress failed to reach a spending agreement. Democrats and Republicans continue to blame each other for the impasse, while millions of family’s risks losing access to critical food aid.
Trump Responds, Citing Legal Constraints
The current President, Donald Trump commented on social media that his administration may lack the legal authority to continue SNAP payments during a shutdown. He added that his legal team is seeking clarification from the courts on how to legally fund the program. “If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding,” Trump wrote on his social media platform.
Judges Say USDA Must Tap Emergency Funds
In one of the rulings, a U.S. District Judge emphasized that the USDA has access to $5.25 billion in contingency funds, which could be used to cover November’s benefits. He ordered the department to release the funds as soon as possible. Judge McConnell further noted that if the contingency funds run short, the USDA should explore using an additional $23 billion available in separate accounts.
The USDA had previously stated that the SNAP program costs between $8.5 – $9 billion per month, and that the agency could not make payments without new congressional appropriations. However, its own contingency plan, released earlier in October, acknowledged that emergency funding could temporarily sustain SNAP benefits.
Millions Depend on Continuity
Advocates have praised the rulings as a critical win for struggling households. “Food security should not be held hostage by political gridlock,” said one attorney representing the plaintiffs. This decision ensures millions of Americans can continue to put food on the table.
As the shutdown drags on, the court’s intervention offers temporary relief — but long-term stability for the SNAP program will depend on Congress reaching a spending deal. Until then, the federal courts have made one thing clear: the government must prioritize feeding its people, even in a shutdown.
Helene Elliott is the senior reporter for News Raise. She covers Science news. She also has a keen interest in photojournalism. Helene holds a nomination for the prestigious Red Smith Award. She is married to author Dennis D’Agostino, a former publicist with the New York Mets.
