Overview
- Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson granted an administrative stay late Friday that halts a Rhode Island judge’s mandate for full November SNAP payouts until 48 hours after the First Circuit rules on a longer stay request.
- Massachusetts and New Hampshire confirmed full November deposits were issued to EBT cards, and officials in New Jersey, Wisconsin, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Hawaii reported releasing full benefits before the high court’s hold.
- North Carolina moved ahead with partial payments of roughly 65% of normal amounts, with 190,000 households receiving $16 or less and some only a few dollars, while Utah reported no November deposits yet as it prepares a 65% payout after system changes.
- USDA told states Friday it would work to pay full November benefits during the appeals process, but several agencies paused further releases after the Supreme Court’s order pending federal guidance.
- The dispute hinges on a shortfall between about $4.6–$5.0 billion in contingency funds and an $8.5–$9.0 billion monthly cost, leaving roughly 42 million recipients facing uncertainty and spiking demand reported by food banks and 2-1-1 services in states like Michigan.