Judges Order SNAP Contingency Funding

Two federal judges — U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts and Judge John J. McConnell in Rhode Island — ruled Friday that the Trump administration must use contingency or emergency funds to continue paying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the government shutdown and ordered the administration to report by Monday whether November payments will be partially or fully funded. The orders followed a lawsuit brought by a coalition of 25 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia that argued roughly $5 billion in contingency reserves (and a larger separate reserve) should be tapped to avoid cutting benefits for about one in eight Americans. The judges rejected the administration's contention it lacked authority to use those reserves, and McConnell ordered continued funding and preservation of prior waivers exempting work requirements. Courts directed USDA to distribute funds "as soon as possible," though officials warned recipients could still face short delays—often one to two weeks—while states and agencies reload benefits, and the government may appeal. The rulings have increased pressure on local food banks and state officials as millions of low-income families, seniors and veterans face potential hardship amid the ongoing political and legal dispute.