Federal Judges Order Emergency SNAP Funding

Two federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration and USDA to tap contingency/emergency funds to continue SNAP payments during the government shutdown after legal challenges from roughly two dozen states and other plaintiffs. The rulings affect about 40–42 million recipients, but the USDA's roughly $5 billion contingency balance likely cannot cover a full month of benefits and may not be available in time for Nov. 1 debit-card replenishments. Courts rejected the USDA’s argument that it lacked authority to use the reserves, but significant implementation questions remain and several jurisdictions (including D.C., Maryland and Virginia) have prepared temporary measures to soften any lapse. President Trump said his lawyers found no legal authority to fund SNAP with available funds, has instructed lawyers to seek court clarification, blamed Democrats for the shutdown, and said he would provide funding only if legally allowed while warning of distribution delays. Advocates, local officials and some members of Congress warned of growing food insecurity and urged immediate use of appropriated funds to prevent gaps in assistance.