The US Supreme Court has permitted the Trump administration to temporarily withhold approximately $4 billion in funding essential for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports around 42 million low-income Americans. This decision comes amid an ongoing federal government shutdown that has raised concerns about the availability of food assistance for November 2023.
The court’s ruling, known as an administrative stay, grants a lower court additional time to deliberate on the administration’s formal request to partially fund SNAP benefits. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who issued the stay, set its expiration for two days after the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals makes a ruling on the administration’s appeal regarding a previous court order. This order mandated the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promptly disburse the full SNAP benefits for the month, which range between $8.5 billion to $9 billion.
In a recent ruling, US District Judge John McConnell of Providence, Rhode Island, determined that the USDA must utilize emergency funds to cover part of November’s costs. The administration had initially signaled its intention to suspend SNAP benefits entirely for the month, citing insufficient funding due to the shutdown. However, following McConnell’s order, the USDA was instructed to offset the shortfall using funds from a separate program that supports child nutrition, which has $23.35 billion allocated from tariffs.
Concerns about the implications of withholding SNAP benefits have escalated as the 1st Circuit denied the Trump administration’s request for an administrative stay against McConnell’s ruling just days ago. The panel, composed of judges appointed by Democratic presidents, expressed its commitment to deliver a decision “as quickly as possible” on the administration’s formal request.
The ramifications of these developments have reached recipients of SNAP benefits, who are experiencing significant strain. For the first time in the program’s 60-year history, benefits lapsed at the start of November, pushing many to rely on already overwhelmed food pantries. Some individuals have reported making difficult choices, such as forgoing medications, to stretch their limited budgets.
SNAP benefits are designed to assist eligible Americans whose income is below 130 percent of the federal poverty line. For the 2026 fiscal year, the maximum monthly benefit is set at $298 for a one-person household and $546 for a two-person household. As the situation unfolds, the urgency to secure funding becomes increasingly critical for millions relying on this essential support.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi remarked on the Supreme Court’s decision in a post on X, labeling the previous court ruling as “judicial activism at its worst.” The Department of Justice argued that allowing McConnell’s ruling to stand would lead to further chaos due to the shutdown, effectively creating “a run on the bank by way of judicial fiat.”
The coming days will be pivotal as the 1st Circuit Court prepares to address the administration’s request, which could determine the future of food assistance for millions of Americans in need.
