SNAP Benefits Could Resume Wednesday Amid Government Shutdown and Federal Court Orders

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which had been halted due to the government shutdown, could resume as early as Wednesday. This follows two federal court rulings ordering the Trump administration to use emergency funds to continue funding SNAP, which supports approximately 42 million Americans. However, the administration is awaiting legal clarity on how to proceed, as conflicting court opinions have complicated the release of funds. President Trump has expressed his desire to ensure SNAP payments continue and has called on Democratic senators to reopen the government to resolve the funding issue. Despite the shutdown, the administration will not appeal the court rulings and aims to comply with the judges' directives to restore benefits promptly. Recipients remain cautious, awaiting the actual availability of funds on their EBT cards.