USDA Faces Deadline to Use Funds for SNAP Amid Shutdown

President Donald Trump's administration faces a Monday deadline from two federal judges to comply with court orders to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) using contingency funds amid the ongoing government shutdown. The USDA had planned to freeze SNAP payments starting November 1, citing lack of funding, which threatens food aid for about one in eight Americans and delays benefits for millions. Democratic attorneys general and governors from 25 states, plus the District of Columbia, along with cities and nonprofits, have challenged the freeze, arguing the administration has a legal obligation to maintain the program. Judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ruled that SNAP funding must continue, with some flexibility on whether to fund partially or fully for November. Although the USDA has a $5 billion contingency fund, the Trump administration reversed an earlier plan to use it, while Democrats highlight an additional $23 billion fund that could be used. U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell mandated the use of at least contingency funds and requested an update on progress by Monday, also emphasizing that all previous work requirement waivers must continue to be honored despite USDA's reported cancellations during the shutdown.