Overview
- Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson granted an administrative stay that suspends a Rhode Island judge’s order for full November SNAP payments until the First Circuit rules, plus forty‑eight hours.
- Michigan said it delivered full benefits to more than 200,000 households before the ruling, and Massachusetts confirmed previously scheduled payments posted, while other states began or planned distributions.
- The administration argues it exhausted SNAP contingency reserves and can fund only partial November benefits without new appropriations, citing a shortfall of roughly $4 billion.
- A multistate coalition led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged the appeals court to reject the government’s request and vowed to keep pressing for full payments.
- Food assistance networks report strain and uncertainty, including a 200% surge in food-related calls to Michigan 211 as families wait for clarity on remaining November benefits.