Judge Likely Orders Partial SNAP Funding

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston signaled she is likely to order the USDA to tap contingency and emergency funds to keep some SNAP payments flowing during the government shutdown. The lawsuit, brought by 25 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C., and led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, argues failing to use the roughly $5–5.5 billion contingency — and potentially other reserves — would be unlawful and would imperil food assistance for about 42 million Americans. Talwani said Congress put money in emergency funds for crises and urged an equitable reduction rather than a total cutoff, but acknowledged any relief could delay or reduce November payments because the contingency is likely insufficient to cover the full roughly $8–9+ billion monthly cost. The USDA has maintained limits on using the fund, and administration officials warned recalculating partial payments would be logistically difficult and could take weeks. The judge said she would issue a ruling later Thursday that could apply nationwide as states, food banks and recipients brace for disruptions.