Overview
- Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary administrative stay that blocks a Rhode Island judge’s order for full November benefits while the First Circuit reviews the administration’s appeal.
- U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. had directed the government to complete full SNAP payments by Friday using emergency reserves, prompting an immediate DOJ request for relief.
- Several states reported issuing full benefits before the stay, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, California, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Vermont and parts of Michigan.
- Other states paused or stuck with partial schedules after the stay, with North Carolina halting remaining issuances and Utah preparing about 65% payments as systems are reconfigured.
- USDA and court filings cite roughly $4.6–$4.65 billion available—well short of the $8.5–$9 billion monthly cost—fueling a legal fight over whether Section 32 funds can be redirected without harming WIC, with about 42 million people affected.