States Struggle with SNAP Benefits Amid Government Turmoil

States Grapple with SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown

Washington, Nov 10 (AP) States responsible for managing the federal food assistance program, which aids approximately 42 million Americans, faced challenges on Monday regarding whether they should provide full monthly benefits during an ongoing legal conflict involving the U.S. government shutdown.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump's administration demanded that states retract full benefits previously distributed under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during a short window. This period fell between a federal judge’s order for full funding and a temporary pause enacted by a Supreme Court justice.

While a federal appeals court in Boston upheld the full benefits order on Sunday, a Supreme Court order has paused government payments for at least 48 hours. Trump's administration plans to seek further Supreme Court intervention, and Congress is evaluating whether to include SNAP funding in a proposal aimed to end the government shutdown.

Some states have expressed concerns over “catastrophic operational disruptions” if Trump's administration does not reimburse them for SNAP benefits they have already authorized. Meanwhile, certain states are distributing partial monthly benefits using either federal resources or state funds to load SNAP recipients’ electronic benefit cards.

Millions Await SNAP Assistance as Distribution Varies

The Trump administration initially announced that SNAP benefits would be unavailable in November due to the shutdown. Following lawsuits from states and nonprofit organizations, two judges ruled against skipping November's benefits entirely.

The administration then planned to use emergency funds to cover 65% of the maximum monthly benefit. However, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell ruled this insufficient and mandated full funding for SNAP benefits by Friday.

In response, some states promptly instructed their EBT vendors to disburse full monthly benefits to recipients. Millions received their nutritional assistance before Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson paused McConnell's order pending further appellate deliberation.

Meanwhile, other states delayed payments for November awaiting guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP.

Trump's administration contends that the judicial mandate infringes on the legislative and executive branches' spending powers, violating the Constitution.

States Push Back Against Freezing of SNAP Benefits

On Sunday, Trump's administration criticized states’ rapid and erroneous distribution of full SNAP benefits following the recent court orders.

Patrick Penn, Deputy Undersecretary of Agriculture, instructed state SNAP directors to halt any actions taken to issue full November 2025 benefits, cautioning that non-compliant states might face penalties.

In Wisconsin, which initially distributed full benefits after McConnell's ruling, federal reimbursement has been halted. Consequently, the state's SNAP funds risk depletion as early as Monday, leaving stores unreimbursed for providing food to SNAP recipients, as noted in a court filing by suing parties.

Democratic governors in some regions have committed to resisting federal attempts to retract funds. Connecticut’s Democratic Governor, Ned Lamont, assured, “Those who received their benefits should not worry about losing them.” He added, “No, Connecticut does not need to take back SNAP benefits already sent to the 360,000 people who depend on them for food and who should have never been caught in the middle of this political fight. We have their back.” (AP) SKS SKS

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