The Trump administration must inform federal judges by the end of the day whether it will utilize contingency funds to continue financing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the largest food assistance initiative in the United States. The deadline comes as the government shutdown threatens to halt payments to SNAP, which assists approximately one in eight Americans. Without intervention, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to freeze payments effective November 1, 2023.
SNAP is a significant component of the nation’s social safety net, costing about $8 billion monthly. The USDA has access to a $5 billion contingency fund specifically for SNAP, yet the Trump administration has reversed a prior decision to use these funds to maintain the program during the shutdown. Democratic officials contend that the administration also has the option to draw from an additional $23 billion fund for this purpose.
Legal Challenges and Court Rulings
The potential suspension of SNAP benefits has resulted in legal challenges from Democratic state attorneys general and governors across 25 states and the District of Columbia. They argue that the administration is legally required to sustain the program in their jurisdictions. Additionally, various cities and nonprofit organizations have also filed lawsuits against the USDA.
On October 27, 2023, judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts issued separate rulings mandating that the administration must continue funding SNAP. U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell in Rhode Island ruled that SNAP must be supported using at least the contingency funds, requesting an update on the agency’s progress by today. He emphasized the necessity of adhering to all prior work requirement waivers, which the USDA has terminated during the shutdown for older adults, veterans, and other vulnerable groups.
In Massachusetts, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani deemed the USDA’s suspension of SNAP funding unlawful. She ordered the federal government to clarify by today whether it would utilize emergency reserve funds to provide reduced benefits for November or fully finance the program through both contingency and additional funds.
Impact on Beneficiaries and Food Security
The uncertainty surrounding SNAP funding has left millions of beneficiaries anxious about their ability to access food. Advocates highlight that any interruption in food assistance would force families to make difficult choices between purchasing groceries and covering other essential expenses. Many states have already announced expedited funding for food banks and alternative methods to load benefits onto SNAP debit cards.
As of 2025, to qualify for SNAP, a family of four cannot have a net income exceeding the federal poverty line, which stands at about $32,000 per year. In the previous year, SNAP provided assistance to nearly 42 million individuals, with approximately two-thirds of beneficiaries being families with children. The ramifications of a potential disruption to this vital service could have widespread effects on food security across the country.
