Federal Judges Mandate Partial SNAP Funding for Millions Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
Federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds for partial November food stamp benefits for 42 million Americans, amidst the ongoing government shutdown and political disputes.
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Overview
- The U.S. government shutdown, nearing its longest, jeopardized federal nutrition assistance for approximately 42 million Americans, with SNAP benefits at risk of expiring on November 1 due to lapsed appropriations.
- The USDA initially stopped SNAP benefit allocations for November due to lack of funds, causing significant concern and uncertainty among millions of recipients nationwide.
- Two federal judges, including one in Rhode Island, ordered the Trump administration to use emergency and contingency funds to provide partial food stamp benefits to millions of Americans for November.
- McConnell's ruling specifically allowed access to a $5 billion SNAP contingency fund, ensuring continued benefits, though it may not cover the entire month of November for all recipients.
- President Trump seeks legal advice to fund SNAP, promising support if allowed, while he and Senate Democrats continue to accuse each other of prolonging the government shutdown.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the SNAP cutoff as a severe crisis impacting vulnerable Americans. They emphasize the human cost through vivid descriptions of hardship and the unprecedented nature of the disruption, portraying it as a "financial cliff" causing "desperation and anger." This collective editorial choice highlights the urgency and negative consequences for millions.
"The threat of a SNAP cutoff has brought renewed attention to the desperate, day-to-day struggle to make ends meet for America’s most vulnerable people."
NBC News"Thousands of community groups, businesses, and food banks across the U.S. are mobilizing to support the nearly 42 million people expected to lose access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP or food stamps."
USA TODAY"The stalemate between Republicans and Democrats continues with no obvious end in sight."
ABC News"The court’s ruling protects millions of families, seniors, and veterans from being used as leverage in a political fight and upholds the principle that no one in America should go hungry."
Fortune"It's a perfect storm of misery for low- and middle-income households."
CBS News"The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a major piece of the U.S. social safety net used by nearly 42 million, or about 1 in 8 Americans, to help buy groceries."
Associated Press"The court has now clarified that Defendants are required to use those Contingency Funds as necessary for the SNAP program."
CBS News"A federal judge in Rhode Island has temporarily ordered the Trump administration to continue funding benefits for SNAP, the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program."
ABC News"The ruling "is a lifeline for millions of families, seniors, and veterans who depend on SNAP to put food on the table.""
BBC News"The administration may also tap other sources of funding for the program."
Chicago Sun-Times"Judge Indira Talwani acknowledged this will leave millions of people without assistance starting Saturday."
NPR"The court’s ruling protects millions of families, seniors, and veterans from being used as leverage in a political fight and upholds the principle that no one in America should go hungry."
NBC News"It is about to get worse."
The Free Press"The federal government shutdown has dragged into another week, and Republicans and Democrats appear no closer to ending it."
NPR"From coast to coast, fallout from the dysfunction of a shuttered federal government is hitting home: Alaskans are stockpiling moose, caribou and fish for winter, even before SNAP food aid is scheduled to shut off."
ABC News"The shutdown could temporarily cut the nation's economic output by billions of dollars as unpaid federal workers curtail their spending and SNAP benefits are paused, leading to a 1-percentage-point GDP drop if the shutdown lasts four weeks and a 2-point dip if it drags on for eight weeks."
CBS News"Even if the emergency fund is tapped for SNAP benefits, administration officials say the $5.5 billion falls short of the $9 billion needed to fully cover the whole month of November."
NPR"The rapidly worsening dynamics seem to have jolted lawmakers on Capitol Hill, who after weeks of stalemate have started to take back-channel negotiations about potential shutdown off-ramps more seriously."
USA TODAYArticles (53)
FAQ
SNAP benefits were at risk of expiring due to the ongoing government shutdown causing a lapse in appropriations to fund the program in November 2025.
Two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use emergency and contingency funds to provide at least partial November SNAP benefits to millions of Americans amid the shutdown.
There is nearly $5 to $6 billion in the SNAP contingency fund available to cover benefits during the shutdown, which judges have authorized the administration to use for November payouts.
Officials express concern that even if the administration complies, it may take about 10 days to begin distributing benefits, causing delays for millions of recipients who have never had payments paused before.
President Trump has sought legal advice and promised support to fund SNAP if allowed, while he and Senate Democrats continue to blame each other for prolonging the government shutdown that jeopardizes SNAP benefits.
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