Judge Orders Full November SNAP Payments as Justice Department Appeals

Overview

• U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island ordered the government to deliver full SNAP benefits for November after earlier plans for delays or partial payments.
• The Justice Department asked a federal appeals court to overturn the order, arguing courts lack authority to compel spending during the shutdown.
• USDA told states it is preparing to make funds available, while other rulings directed at least partial benefits through emergency resources.
• California and Wisconsin said they are issuing full benefits despite the federal impasse, creating a patchwork across states.
• Roughly 40–42 million people rely on SNAP, which averages about $187 per person monthly and requires about $9 billion each month, with recipients reporting acute hardship as the shutdown stretches past five weeks.