The Trump administration is confronting a critical deadline at noon on Monday to inform a federal judge regarding the disbursement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds. This ruling, made late last week, mandates that the U.S. Agriculture Department must take action to release these essential funds. As the government shutdown inches closer to becoming the longest in U.S. history, millions of Americans are left without their November SNAP benefits, exacerbating the challenges faced by low-income families across the nation.
Throughout the country, the effects of the shutdown have become increasingly evident, with long lines forming at food banks as individuals seek assistance. This past weekend, cities in Texas and California transformed stadium parking lots into mass distribution centers, where families received boxes filled with produce, frozen meats, and other necessary household items. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the impending depletion of November SNAP funding, prompting several state governments to step in to provide temporary relief.
In an effort to maintain the flow of benefits, Democratic leaders from 25 states last week initiated a lawsuit against the Agriculture Department. Their aim is to compel the department to utilize contingency funds to sustain the SNAP program amid the ongoing shutdown. While the department has previously contended that these contingency funds are "not legally available to cover regular benefits," they are typically reserved for emergencies such as natural disasters.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island issued a ruling demanding that the Trump administration either make a full SNAP payment by the end of the day on Monday or provide a partial payment by Wednesday. To fulfill the requirement for a full payment, the administration would need to tap into funding sources beyond the contingency reserves. In his order, McConnell emphasized the necessity of utilizing congressionally approved contingency funds, citing a 2019 Q&A email by a SNAP administrator that indicated these funds should be accessed during lapses in funding due to a government shutdown.
This ruling follows a separate case wherein U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani of Massachusetts noted that the plaintiffs likely have a strong case against the administration, stating that the suspension of SNAP benefits may be unlawful. Judge Talwani has allowed the administration to consider the authorization of at least reduced SNAP benefits for November, with a report due back to the court by Monday, November 3, 2025.
With over 40 million Americans relying on SNAP benefits to purchase food, there are growing concerns about the implications of a halted program. Many low-income families are left wondering how they will afford food if the SNAP system fails to operate. In response to inquiries, the White House referred questions to the Office of Management and Budget, which has yet to provide a comment.
In an interview on “Fox & Friends Weekend” on Sunday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins expressed concerns about the adequacy of contingency funds, stating that they "won’t even cover about half of what November would cost." She acknowledged the administration's commitment to exploring all possible avenues to ensure that SNAP benefits continue, reiterating the President's determination to support food assistance programs during this challenging time.
