Trump Administration Ordered to Resume SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports roughly 42 million Americans, faced a pause in benefits due to a government shutdown and legal disputes over funding. Two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use contingency funds to continue SNAP payments, but the administration initially cited legal concerns about the authority to allocate these funds. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated on CNN that benefits might resume as early as Wednesday, pending resolution of the required process. Meanwhile, SNAP recipients, including disabled individuals like Cass Davis, have struggled with food insecurity and increased reliance on food pantries due to delayed benefits. The Trump administration blamed Senate Democrats for the shutdown and funding impasse, while Democrats urged reopening the government to restore SNAP and other services. Partial SNAP benefits for November were also announced, with recipients set to receive about half their typical allotment as states prepare for distribution.