Overview
- Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an administrative stay late Friday that blocks a Rhode Island judge’s full-funding order, expiring 48 hours after the First Circuit acts.
- Before the stay, USDA guidance led several states to load full November benefits, including Michigan for more than 200,000 households and distributions reported in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and others.
- Michigan paused further issuances for roughly 1.2 million remaining recipients, while North Carolina halted plans after sending reduced amounts, with 190,000 households there receiving $16 or less.
- The Justice Department argues Congress has not appropriated enough money for SNAP, citing contingency reserves of roughly $4.6–$6 billion versus a typical monthly need of about $8–$9 billion.
- Food assistance networks report surging demand and confusion, with Michigan 211 logging a roughly 200% spike in food-related calls and food banks expanding emergency efforts as millions remain uncertain about November aid.