After two federal court injunctions, the Trump administration announced on Monday that it will partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November, rather than fully suspending benefits as initially planned.
Rulings issued Friday in Boston and Providence require the federal government to use emergency funds to keep operations running during the shutdown, according to WCVB.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the nation’s primary food assistance program. It had planned to suspend payments starting on November 1 due to the budget stalemate.
SNAP assists about one in eight Americans. It is a vital part of the social safety net, requiring over $8 billion per month for benefits and administrative costs.
The judges instructed the administration to utilize an emergency $5 billion reserve and indicate whether more funds will fully cover November benefits, WCVB reported.
Providence, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. said that if the administration chooses full funding, disbursements must be completed by Monday, November 3. For partial funding, which requires recalculating household benefits, payments must be distributed by Wednesday, November 5. His ruling also maintained existing work requirement exemptions, including those for seniors and veterans.
In Boston, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani ruled the suspension of payments unlawful. She ordered the USDA to continue SNAP benefits. The department had until Monday to decide whether to use only contingency funds for reduced November payments or to allocate additional resources for full benefits distribution.
On social media Friday, President Donald Trump said: “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because Radical Democrats refuse to reopen the government.” He said he had told his legal team to expedite payments “as soon as possible.” These remarks came as 25 states, the District of Columbia, various municipalities, and nonprofits sued the administration. They argued that it has a legal obligation to keep the program running, according to WCVB.
Despite the commitment to partial funding, delays are expected in November. Many states usually load EBT cards early in the month. However, the complex process of fund transfers between federal and state agencies may take up to two weeks. The USDA and multiple media sources say it is still unclear how much each recipient will receive.
In Massachusetts, about one million people rely on SNAP. Of these, 32% are children, 31% have disabilities, and 26% are elderly. Nationwide, the program serves nearly 42 million Americans, providing an average monthly benefit of $190 per person. Several states have recently increased support for food banks. Some have used state resources to refill benefit cards while waiting for federal action, WCVB reported.
A Legal and Fiscal Standoff
The dispute centers on the USDA’s $5 billion contingency fund. The administration first considered its use but later changed course. Democratic officials say the government could utilize an additional $23 billion reserve to sustain the program. The department had disagreed with this position prior to Friday’s court decisions.
Judge Talwani determined that the plaintiffs “have standing” and are likely to win by proving the suspension violates federal law. At the same time, Judge McConnell ordered the administration to give updates by Monday. He set firm deadlines based on whether full or partial payments are made. These rulings forced the White House to implement a partial funding solution for November.
The possible interruption in benefits prompted quick reactions from food banks, charities, and cities. Massachusetts officials called for benefits to be fully maintained and for faster payments. Delaware told recipients that benefits won’t be available before November 7. Rhode Island gave advance 25% SNAP payments to households also on TANF.
SNAP eligibility continues to be restricted to households with net incomes below the federal poverty line (after permitted deductions). For 2025, this limit stands at approximately $32,000 annually for a family of four. During the previous year, more than 60% of beneficiaries were families with children.
Although Monday’s announcement offers brief reassurance, concerns persist for the coming weeks. The courts state that the current emergency funding will not cover a full month of nationwide benefits. Without action in Congress to end the shutdown, recipients may experience further delays or reduced benefits in December. Charities are preparing for greater need, according to the Associated Press.
Source: WCVB
