Trump Administration Seeks to Halt Full SNAP Benefits Amid Shutdown

The Trump administration is seeking to prevent the distribution of full monthly benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. A federal appeals court has been asked to block a judge’s order mandating that the administration provide full November benefits to recipients, despite some states already processing payments.

In a recent court filing, the administration requested a suspension of any orders that require it to allocate more than what is available in a contingency fund. This comes as officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated that they are working to ensure funds for full monthly SNAP benefits are available. States such as California, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Kansas have confirmed that some recipients have already received their full payments for November.

Gavin Newsom, the Democratic Governor of California, stated, “Food benefits are now beginning to flow back to California families.” In Wisconsin, over $104 million in SNAP benefits became accessible at midnight for approximately 337,000 households, following a request to expedite processing after a Thursday court ruling. While some states quickly embraced the directive, others indicated they were awaiting further guidance from federal authorities.

Uncertainty Surrounds SNAP Recipients

The legal proceedings have contributed to weeks of anxiety for the approximately 41 million Americans who rely on SNAP, particularly those with lower incomes. Individuals can receive a maximum monthly benefit of nearly $300, while families of four may qualify for nearly $1,000, depending on their financial situation. For many, the timing of their benefits remains unclear.

Jasmen Youngbey, a single mother from Newark, New Jersey, expressed her concerns while waiting at a food pantry. “Not everybody has cash to pull out and say, ‘OK, I’m going to go and get this,’ especially with the cost of food right now,” she noted. Fortunately, by the end of the day, Youngbey received her monthly SNAP benefits. In a similar situation, Tihinna Franklin, who relies on SNAP to support her grandchildren, reported having only 9 cents left in her account as she awaited the funds.

Legal Battles Over SNAP Funding

Initially, the Trump administration announced that SNAP benefits would not be available for November due to the shutdown. However, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. and another judge ruled last week that the government cannot completely bypass SNAP benefits. The judges instructed the administration to utilize a reserve fund exceeding $4.6 billion to cover November’s benefits, while granting flexibility to tap into additional funds, which typically amount to between $8.5 billion and $9 billion monthly for the program.

On Monday, the administration declined to draw from extra funds, claiming it was Congress’s responsibility to allocate necessary resources. The Department of Justice argued in its appeal that the court’s order to fund full SNAP benefits contradicts the U.S. Constitution. “This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers. Courts hold neither the power to appropriate nor the power to spend,” the department stated.

In contrast, attorneys representing cities and nonprofit organizations challenging the administration’s stance insisted that sufficient funds are available and urged the court to ensure that vital food assistance reaches families in need without delay.

States Take Diverse Approaches to SNAP Disbursement

Several governors have expressed their commitment to ensuring that recipients receive their full November payments as soon as possible. In Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey announced that recipients should expect full benefits by as early as Saturday. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul indicated that access would begin on Sunday, while New Hampshire’s Governor Kelly Ayotte assured beneficiaries that full benefits would be available over the weekend. Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont also projected that full benefits would be accessible in the coming days.

Other states, such as North Carolina, have already distributed partial SNAP payments, with full benefits expected soon. Leaders in Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, and North Dakota reported similar distributions of partial payments as the situation continues to evolve.

As the legal battles and governmental decisions play out, the future of food assistance for millions of Americans hangs in the balance, highlighting the urgent need for resolution amid the ongoing shutdown.