Trump Admin Faces Monday Deadline on SNAP Funding During Shutdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration has until Monday to tell federal judges whether it will fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown. Millions face delayed or reduced benefits, despite court rulings requiring continued payments. States and advocates are pushing for emergency action to prevent hunger.
SNAP Funding Crisis – Quick Looks
- Trump administration must inform judges by Monday if it will fully fund SNAP
- SNAP serves 42 million Americans and costs $8 billion per month
- USDA initially planned to freeze payments starting Nov. 1
- Federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ruled SNAP must be paid
- Trump claims he wants to avoid hunger, blames Democrats for the shutdown
- States and nonprofits suing to keep the food aid program running
- USDA has $5B in contingency funds; Dems say $23B more could be used
- SNAP card reloading delays mean recipients may wait weeks for aid
- Judges allow partial payments if full funding isn’t provided
- Courts demand clarity on payments and continuation of work waivers
Deep Look
Trump Administration Must Decide SNAP Funding as Shutdown Drags On
WASHINGTON — With the government shutdown entering a critical phase, the Trump administration faces a Monday deadline to clarify whether it will continue funding SNAP, the nation’s largest food assistance program. Two federal judges ruled last week that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program must remain operational, at least partially, despite the federal government’s closure.
At the heart of the crisis is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement that it would pause SNAP payments starting November 1 due to a lack of available funds. SNAP, which provides essential food aid to roughly 1 in 8 Americans, distributes about $8 billion monthly to low-income families.
Court Orders Demand Clarity
Two separate rulings—one in Rhode Island and another in Massachusetts—have forced the Trump administration to act. Judges said the USDA must either continue full benefits or provide a clear plan to deliver partial assistance. They cited legal obligations to maintain the program during the shutdown.
In Providence, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell ordered the government to update the court by Monday. If the USDA chooses full payments, they must be issued by end of day Monday. If partial benefits are planned, they must be calculated and ready to distribute by Wednesday.
Meanwhile in Boston, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani called the USDA’s suspension of payments unlawful, mandating that benefits be paid using emergency or reserve funds. Talwani also set Monday as the deadline for the administration to disclose its funding approach.
Trump Responds — But Offers No Details
On Friday, President Trump addressed the controversy on social media, saying he does “NOT want Americans to go hungry”, while blaming “Radical Democrats” for refusing to reopen the government. He added that he had instructed government attorneys to prepare SNAP payments, but did not specify whether the administration would issue full or partial benefits.
The ambiguity leaves millions of SNAP recipients in limbo. Most states load benefits onto EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards at the beginning of each month, and even if funding is secured, recipients could face delays of up to two weeks depending on state processing times.
SNAP Work Waivers Must Continue
Judge McConnell also ruled that existing work requirement waivers must remain in place, citing concerns over vulnerable populations like veterans and older adults. The USDA had begun canceling those waivers during the shutdown, raising alarms among anti-poverty advocates.
Legal Pressure Builds from States and Cities
Legal challenges have mounted. Democratic attorneys general, governors from 25 states, the District of Columbia, cities, and nonprofit organizations have filed lawsuits to block the suspension of SNAP payments. They argue that the federal government has the funds and the legal responsibility to maintain the program.
The USDA holds a $5 billion contingency fund, initially earmarked to keep SNAP running during emergencies. Critics say the Trump administration abruptly reversed its previous stance and is now choosing not to use those funds. Democratic officials argue an additional $23 billion in reserve accounts could also be tapped.
States Scramble to Provide Food Aid
As federal assistance remains uncertain, states are stepping in. Many have announced expanded food bank support or emergency allocations for low-income residents. However, these efforts are temporary stopgaps and insufficient to cover the full scale of SNAP.
“We can’t let bureaucracy or political fights put families at risk of going hungry,” said one state official involved in the lawsuits.
Who Qualifies for SNAP?
In 2025, a family of four must have a net income below the federal poverty line — about $32,000 per year — to qualify for SNAP. Last year, the program served nearly 42 million people, two-thirds of whom were families with children.
What’s Next
If the administration misses Monday’s deadline or fails to comply with the court’s orders, it could face further legal action or contempt proceedings. Advocates say time is running out for millions of Americans who rely on food aid to meet basic needs.
The decision now lies with the White House: Will it unlock funding for one of the country’s most critical social safety nets — or allow the political standoff to deepen an already growing crisis?
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