Legal Battle Over SNAP Benefits Intensifies
A coalition of US cities and nonprofit organizations has returned to federal court, urging the Trump administration to issue full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments for November. This push comes after the administration announced it would only pay partial benefits to the roughly 42 million Americans who rely on food stamps, citing constrained funding and an ongoing government shutdown.
Court Rulings and Partial Payments
Federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ordered the government to continue funding SNAP, but left open whether the administration would pay full or partial benefits. The Trump administration opted to use $5 billion from an emergency SNAP reserve, which will only cover about half of November’s typical payments. The Department of Agriculture has declined to tap other available resources, further delaying support for needy families.
Delays Impact Millions of Americans
Operational hurdles mean many families will face weeks or even months of delays before receiving this reduced assistance. As states scramble to recalculate and distribute new benefits, advocates warn of worsening hunger across the country. In states like Wisconsin and Nebraska, local food banks and nonprofits are stepping in to support families, but officials stress that only full federal aid can bridge the gap.
Local Leaders and Nonprofits Mobilize Resources
City leaders and nonprofits are mobilizing to address immediate needs, but warn their efforts are no substitute for federal funding. Groups like the Food Research & Action Center argue that delaying benefits poses a public health crisis, hitting working families and children hardest. Hotline and community resources have seen spikes in demand as uncertainty persists.
The Road Ahead
Advocates and local officials continue to pressure the federal government to pay full SNAP benefits, while court challenges and negotiations play out. For now, millions of households remain unsure of both the timing and size of their next food stamp payment, highlighting the stakes of budget standoffs in Washington.