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Federal Judges Order Administration to Use Emergency Funds to Maintain SNAP During Shutdown

Courts set a Monday compliance deadline for the administration.

Tee Tran, owner of Monster Pho in Oakland, California, remembers his own mother working five jobs when he was a child to help keep their family fed.
Kevin Cassidy, owner of KC Pizza & Wings in Long Island, is among those stepping in to help people who receive SNAP benefits.
Tee Tran, owner of Monster Pho in Oakland, California, remembers the food insecurity of his own childhood. He said his mother's generosity inspired him to help people through his restaurant.

Overview

  • The USDA had planned to halt November SNAP payments, saying reserves had run dry and posting that the program could not be funded during the shutdown.
  • U.S. District Judges John J. McConnell in Rhode Island and Indira Talwani in Massachusetts ordered the use of at least $5.25 billion in contingency funds and signaled the agency should evaluate about $23 billion in related reserves if needed.
  • The White House says government lawyers believe certain monies cannot legally fund SNAP and are asking the courts for guidance on how to proceed.
  • Even if funds are released, recipients should expect delays because loading benefits onto EBT cards typically takes one to two weeks.
  • Most states report they cannot replace federal payments, while a limited group — including Virginia, Delaware, New Mexico, Louisiana, Vermont and the District of Columbia — is offering partial or temporary support as food banks and private efforts try to fill gaps.