Overview
- Two federal judges — Indira Talwani in Massachusetts and John McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island — directed the administration to use emergency reserves for November SNAP or explain by Monday how payments will be made, affecting roughly 42 million people.
- President Trump said he will fund the program if given clear legal authority and warned payments will be delayed even with court guidance, as the administration weighs potential appeals.
- Available contingency reserves total about $5.25 billion against an estimated $8–9 billion monthly need, and judges noted the administration has discretion over other sources such as Section 32 funds, raising the prospect of partial or late benefits.
- States and cities shifted emergency aid — including San Francisco’s $18 million for CalFresh, Alameda County’s roughly $10 million, Santa Clara County’s $4.5 million, New York state’s fast-tracked $100 million and New York City’s $15 million — while food banks expand capacity and some National Guard support is being deployed.
- Private and community responses include Instacart’s 50% grocery discount (up to $50), DoorDash fee waivers and free meal deliveries, Gopuff’s $50 in credits across two November windows, Albertsons’ $13 million in gift cards, and local restaurants offering free or discounted meals, as experts caution EBT processing could push funds into next week.