Federal Judge Orders Full SNAP Benefits Distribution Amid Shutdown

A federal judge has mandated that the Trump administration fully distribute Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November 2023, a decision made during an emergency hearing on November 6. U.S. District Court Judge Jack McConnell of Rhode Island ruled that the administration must access available funds within one day to ensure millions of Americans do not go hungry during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Judge McConnell’s ruling comes after he previously required the administration to utilize available funding to at least partially support SNAP benefits, which cost approximately $9 billion monthly to assist about 42 million recipients. He expressed significant concern about the adverse effects of delayed payments, stating, “People have gone without for too long.” The judge emphasized that not distributing benefits for even one more day is “simply unacceptable.”

In his remarks, McConnell highlighted the administration’s failure to tap into an estimated $4.65 billion in contingency funds designated for SNAP. He stated that without full funding, “people will go hungry, food pantries will be overburdened, and needless suffering will occur.” He also noted that benefits lapsed for the first time in history last weekend, calling it a “problem that could have and should have been avoided.”

The judge ordered that the full amount of November SNAP benefits be provided to respective states by the end of the day on Friday, enabling states to distribute the benefits to residents shortly thereafter. His decision followed a statement made by President Donald Trump on Truth Social, where he mentioned that SNAP benefits would be funded only when “the radical-left Democrats open up government.” This post was cited as evidence that the administration might disregard McConnell’s earlier order requiring the access of funding.

McConnell criticized the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its inaction regarding contingency funds, stating, “Even when November 1 came, [the] USDA refused to use the congressionally mandated contingency funds.” He argued that the agency could not claim it was unprepared to make timely payments due to state readiness.

This ruling is part of ongoing litigation involving up to 25 states seeking to ensure continued federal funding for SNAP benefits during the unprecedented 37-day federal government shutdown that began on October 1. New York is a party to both federal cases, with State Attorney General Letitia James expressing her approval of the ruling, stating, “A judge in Rhode Island just stopped the federal government from starving millions of Americans.”

James further added, “I am relieved that people will get the food they need, but it is outrageous that it took a lawsuit to make the federal government feed its own people.” The urgency of this situation underscores the critical role of SNAP in supporting vulnerable populations during times of economic uncertainty and government inaction.