Two federal judges have ordered the Trump administration to continue food aid for millions of Americans despite the ongoing government shutdown, ruling that the White House cannot suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The decisions, issued by judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, require the government to use emergency contingency funds to ensure that low-income households receive their monthly food assistance. The rulings come as the shutdown now in its second month has cut off funding for several federal programmes and left millions struggling to access essential services.
SNAP, also known as food stamps, supports about 42 million Americans by providing reloadable debit cards for grocery purchases. The average family of four receives roughly $715 per month, or about $6 per person per day. While states administer the programme, federal funding has been halted since October 1, when the government shutdown began.
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he had asked government lawyers to seek court guidance on how to legally fund the programme, adding that even with immediate direction, “it will unfortunately be delayed.”
Several US states sued the Trump administration after the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would not distribute food assistance funds in November, saying, “The well has run dry.” The states argued the government should tap into its $6 billion emergency contingency fund to cover payments.
In her ruling, Massachusetts District Judge Indira Talwani said the states were likely to succeed on their claim that Congress intended SNAP benefits to continue “at a reduced rate if necessary” when federal funds run out. She ordered the administration to access the contingency funds and report back by Monday on whether at least partial November benefits will be issued.
Judge Talwani also stated that the USDA “erred in concluding” it was blocked by law from using emergency reserves during a funding lapse.
In a separate decision, Rhode Island Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the administration to make full SNAP payments by November 3, using either the contingency fund or a separate $23 billion reserve created under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935. If the government refuses, he said, it must make partial payments by November 5.
The USDA has not commented on the rulings. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN that payments “could be made as soon as Wednesday,” though he said a process still needed to be followed.
The shutdown caused by a budget standoff between Republicans and Democrats has left millions facing uncertainty over essential aid. The National Parents Union condemned the administration’s move to halt benefits, calling it “a moral disgrace and a direct assault on America’s working families.”
Even if the administration uses the contingency fund, experts warn it would only cover about 60% of beneficiaries for a single month. Advocates are urging Congress and the White House to end the impasse before the situation worsens.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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