A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November, requiring payments to be made by Friday to support 42 million low-income Americans amid the ongoing government shutdown. This decision comes after the administration had planned to provide only partial benefits, raising concerns about hunger and political motives.
U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island issued the ruling on Thursday, setting a strict deadline for the Trump administration to distribute the full SNAP benefits. He accused the government of withholding food aid for political reasons and emphasized that any delay would be “simply unacceptable,” given the immediate risk to millions of children and families.
The order is the latest development in a legal battle over SNAP funding during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which began on October 1. Earlier rulings had compelled the administration to use emergency funds for at least partial payments, but Judge McConnell’s decision mandates full funding, costing between $8.5 billion and $9 billion for the month.
SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, serves about one in eight Americans, including 16 million children, by providing reloadable debit cards for grocery purchases. An average family of four receives approximately $715 monthly, which breaks down to less than $6 per person per day, making the program a critical safety net for low-income households.
The Trump administration has indicated it will appeal the ruling, with President Trump blaming Democrats for the shutdown and questioning the deservingness of some SNAP recipients. However, the administration’s spokeswoman stated they would comply with the court order for now, while advocacy groups like Democracy Forward celebrated the decision as a victory for food security.
As the Friday deadline approaches, uncertainty remains over whether payments will be made on time, with many states and charities preparing for potential shortfalls. The ruling highlights the broader impacts of the government shutdown on essential services and sets the stage for further legal and political confrontations over federal assistance programs.