Two federal judges have ruled that the Trump administration must continue funding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November, preventing a potential lapse in aid for millions of Americans. The decision came after SNAP benefits were set to expire on November 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown, which has been attributed to Democratic-led legislative actions.
In separate rulings, Obama-appointed judges ordered the administration to ensure continued distribution of food stamps, with one judge directing officials to secure funding through alternative means if contingency reserves prove insufficient. The emergency orders came as the U.S. Department of Agriculture faced a funding shortfall, leaving 42 million recipients at risk of losing assistance.
The court decisions followed lawsuits challenging the suspension of SNAP payments, with judges citing legal concerns over the program’s termination. One judge, Indira Talwani, ruled that plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their claims that the freeze was unlawful, requiring the administration to provide updated funding plans by November 3. A second judge in Rhode Island similarly mandated immediate use of emergency funds to sustain benefits.
The rulings highlight the legal and logistical challenges of maintaining federal programs during political gridlock, as the Trump administration faces pressure to resolve funding disputes without congressional action.