Judge Orders Trump Administration to Fund SNAP Amid Ongoing Shutdown
So, there’s a major update on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—better known as SNAP—and it’s something millions of families across the U.S. have been anxiously waiting for. A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must release funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing, even as the government shutdown drags on. This comes after weeks of uncertainty, as the shutdown entered its 33rd day, making it the second longest in U.S. history—just two days short of breaking the record set back in 2018–2019.
Now, here’s what’s happening. Two federal judges, one in Massachusetts and another in Rhode Island, ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has to use $5.25 billion in contingency funds to make at least partial SNAP payments for November. These rulings came after it became clear that the shutdown could stop payments entirely at the start of the month. The judges didn’t just stop there—they also said the administration could tap into other discretionary funds to fully cover benefits, but they gave only a short window to decide and act.
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Massachusetts Judge Indira Talwani specifically ordered the administration to confirm by November 3 whether it plans to issue partial or full benefits. Meanwhile, Rhode Island Judge John McConnell required the government to distribute contingency funds immediately and report back on progress. Both judges made it clear that failing to act wasn’t an option, as millions depend on this aid to put food on the table.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has since commented that President Trump wants to ensure the payments are made legally, and that funds could start flowing by Wednesday. He also mentioned that the administration will not appeal the rulings, suggesting compliance rather than resistance. Still, there’s a lot of process and paperwork to work through before that money reaches families.
This all comes as the shutdown continues to ripple across the country. National parks remain open but understaffed, many public facilities are closed, and hundreds of thousands of federal workers are either furloughed or working without pay. Programs like WIC and the National School Lunch Program could also face funding challenges if the impasse continues.
SNAP is the largest food assistance program in the nation, supporting millions of low-income families each month. So, this ruling isn’t just a legal formality—it’s a lifeline. Whether benefits arrive in full or in part, these court orders have given hope that critical food assistance won’t completely vanish during this unprecedented shutdown. For now, all eyes are on the administration’s next move—and how quickly these promised funds will actually reach the people who need them most.
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