Two federal judges have ordered the Trump administration to utilize emergency reserves to maintain funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown. The rulings, issued by judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island on November 1, 2023, require the administration to ensure that this critical food aid program continues, though the extent of funding remains uncertain.
The SNAP program, which serves approximately 41 million Americans—roughly one in eight individuals—represents a vital component of the nation’s social safety net, costing about $8 billion each month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had announced plans to suspend SNAP payments starting November 1, citing an inability to fund the program due to the shutdown. This decision raised alarms among officials and advocates who argued that the administration has a legal obligation to ensure ongoing support for vulnerable populations.
Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic senator from Minnesota and ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, expressed her relief over the judges’ decisions, stating, “The administration is choosing not to feed Americans in need, despite knowing that it is legally required to do so.”
Legal Obligations and Funding Mechanisms
The rulings came in response to challenges from Democratic attorneys general and governors from 25 states and the District of Columbia, who contended that the administration must continue funding SNAP. While the administration previously claimed it could not access a contingency fund of approximately $5 billion for this purpose, the judges clarified that these funds must be utilized as necessary. Moreover, an additional fund containing around $23 billion is available for SNAP.
In Providence, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell ruled that the federal government is required to use these contingency funds to backfill SNAP benefits and ordered an update on progress by the following Monday. In a similar case in Boston, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani deemed the USDA’s suspension of SNAP payments “unlawful” and mandated that the government inform the court about its funding plans for November.
Despite the favorable rulings for many SNAP beneficiaries, delays in benefit distributions are expected. The process of loading SNAP benefits onto debit cards can take a week or more in many states, meaning that even with emergency funding, millions may face uncertainty regarding their food assistance in November.
Impact on Food Aid Recipients
Advocates for low-income families have expressed concern about the potential consequences of halting SNAP benefits. Many individuals, including Kristle Johnson, a nursing student and mother of three from Florida, fear that reduced benefits would exacerbate their financial struggles. Johnson shared her worries, stating, “Now I have to deal with someone who wants to get rid of everything I have to keep my family afloat until I can better myself.”
In response to the impending crisis, many states have announced expedited funding for local food banks and innovative solutions to ensure that at least some benefits reach recipients. Food bank directors, like Cynthia Kirkhart of Facing Hunger Food Bank in West Virginia, are preparing for increased demand during the shutdown. “What we know, unless the administration is magical, is nothing is going to happen tomorrow,” she said.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins criticized the political maneuvering behind the shutdown, blaming Democrats for not resolving funding disputes in Congress. She stated that the contingency funds would not adequately cover SNAP costs for an extended period. Earlier attempts to secure continued SNAP funding during the shutdown failed, leaving many families in a precarious situation.
The court’s decisions have been hailed as a temporary victory for those who depend on SNAP. Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, remarked that the ruling protects millions of families, seniors, and veterans from being used as leverage in political disputes. As the situation evolves, advocates remain vigilant and ready to respond to the ongoing challenges faced by millions of Americans who rely on this essential program.
