Courts Move to Protect Food Assistance for Millions
Two federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts have ordered the Trump administration to tap into emergency and contingency reserves to keep Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits flowing during the ongoing government shutdown. The rulings came after lawsuits filed by a coalition of states and nonprofit groups argued that suspending payments would unlawfully harm millions of low-income Americans who depend on food assistance. Together, the decisions compel the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to outline how it will access available reserves to continue payments, even as parts of the federal government remain unfunded.
USDA Warns of Operational Challenges
Officials from the USDA and the Department of Justice acknowledged the court orders but cautioned that using contingency funds outside the regular payment schedule could be “operationally fraught.” The agency has roughly $5.25 billion in contingency funding, far short of the estimated $8 billion needed for a full month of benefits covering about 42 million recipients. While the judges did not require the administration to guarantee full payments, they instructed federal officials to act “as soon as possible” to prevent a lapse. The administration has not yet indicated whether it will appeal the rulings.
States and Advocates Urge Swift Action
State officials welcomed the decisions as a lifeline for families already facing uncertainty. Food banks across the country reported a surge in demand as the shutdown delayed federal payments. Advocacy groups stressed that even a short interruption could deepen food insecurity in vulnerable communities. The courts have given the USDA several days to present compliance plans detailing how reserves will be used and whether recipients can expect full or partial benefits in the coming weeks.
