Overview
- Federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ordered the administration to use emergency reserves for SNAP and to report back by Monday on whether partial or full benefits will be issued.
- USDA told the public that “the well has run dry,” saying no benefits would be issued on Nov. 1 as many recipients experienced an immediate lapse that officials say could take days or weeks to resolve.
- The administration contends it lacks clear legal authority and sufficient funds, noting roughly $5–6 billion in contingency money cannot cover the $8–9 billion needed for a month of benefits and warning of state system reprogramming challenges.
- President Trump said he instructed government lawyers to seek court guidance on legally funding SNAP and urged recipients to press Senate Democrats, posting Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office number.
- States and food banks launched emergency measures and distributions to blunt the gap, but organizations cautioned they cannot replace a federal program that serves about 42 million people.