Trump Administration Appeals SNAP Court Order Amid Shutdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration has asked a federal appeals court to halt a judge’s order requiring full SNAP benefit payments during the ongoing government shutdown. The Justice Department argues the ruling forces unconstitutional spending, while several states begin issuing benefits anyway. Millions of low-income Americans remain caught in the middle of the legal and political standoff.
SNAP Food Aid Quick Looks
- Justice Department appeals ruling mandating full November SNAP payments.
- Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the administration to use reserve funds to pay benefits.
- DOJ argues the order violates the Constitution’s separation of powers.
- Wisconsin and Michigan have already begun issuing full benefits.
- SNAP serves about 42 million Americans — roughly 1 in 8 nationwide.
- Monthly program costs: $8.5 to $9 billion; reserve funds hold just $4.6 billion.
- Administration says extra money is needed for child hunger programs.
- Court decision pending as legal and political pressure intensifies.
Deep Look: Trump Administration Moves to Block SNAP Payments
BOSTON — The Trump administration on Friday asked a federal appeals court to block a lower court’s order requiring the government to fully fund SNAP food aid for November, arguing the directive violates the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers during the ongoing federal shutdown.
The emergency request, filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, came just hours after a federal judge set a deadline for President Donald Trump’s administration to ensure full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments were distributed nationwide.
Despite the administration’s challenge, some states are moving ahead with disbursements — a reflection of growing urgency as millions of families rely on the food program during the shutdown.
Court Clash Over Food Assistance
The appeal stems from a Thursday order issued by U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr., who instructed the Trump administration to deliver 100% of November SNAP benefits using available emergency funds.
McConnell’s ruling was part of a broader lawsuit filed by cities and nonprofit organizations, which argued the administration’s plan to pay only 65% of the maximum benefit would leave millions hungry. The plaintiffs contended that federal law obligates the government to continue providing nutrition assistance even during a shutdown.
In its filing to the appeals court, the Justice Department called McConnell’s directive “unprecedented” and “a violation of constitutional spending authority.”
“This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers,” the DOJ wrote. “Courts hold neither the power to appropriate nor the power to spend.”
States Begin Issuing Payments
Even as the appeal moved forward, some states began releasing full benefits to residents.
Wisconsin
Governor Tony Evers’ office confirmed that SNAP recipients in the state began receiving full November payments early Friday morning.
“We’ve received confirmation that payments went through, including members reporting they can now see their balances,” said Evers’ spokesperson Britt Cudaback.
Michigan
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said it directed vendors managing electronic benefits systems to release full payments within 48 hours of receiving federal funds. Those normally paid on the 3rd, 5th, or 7th of each month will see benefits restored first.
The Cost of Feeding America
The federal government spends about $8.5 to $9 billion monthly on SNAP benefits, but the USDA’s emergency reserve fund — which contains just $4.6 billion — can only cover a fraction of that amount.
McConnell’s ruling granted the administration flexibility to tap other federal reserves to bridge the gap. However, the White House has refused, saying it must preserve funding for child hunger and nutrition programs that could also be jeopardized by the shutdown.
The SNAP program provides monthly assistance to about 42 million Americans, most of whom live below the poverty line. That includes families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities — all of whom face uncertainty as the shutdown enters its second month.
A Shutdown Ripple Effect
The federal government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, has already disrupted multiple agencies and essential services. The SNAP funding crisis underscores how deeply the budget impasse is affecting low-income households.
The administration insists that only Congress can legally allocate additional funds. But advocates say the government is shirking its duty to safeguard vulnerable populations.
“The federal government can find billions for defense and emergency relief,” one advocate said, “but when it comes to feeding hungry families, they’re pointing fingers at the courts.”
The court battle now centers on whether the judiciary has the authority to compel spending when Congress has failed to act. If the appeals court sides with the Trump administration, millions could lose their food assistance before the end of the month.
State Governments Step In
Governors and state agencies across the country are preparing contingency plans.
- Some states are fronting administrative costs or reallocating funds temporarily to prevent benefit interruptions.
- Others, particularly in the Midwest and South, are urging Congress to resolve the impasse before Thanksgiving — one of the busiest times for food banks and aid organizations.
The National Governors Association warned that delayed payments could strain local economies, as SNAP benefits generate billions in grocery sales and retail activity each month.
What Happens Next
The appeals court has not yet ruled on the administration’s emergency request. Legal experts expect a decision within days, given the widespread public impact.
If the order to pay full benefits is upheld, the administration will be forced to comply using available reserves — potentially exhausting funds by December.
If the order is blocked, SNAP recipients could see reduced or suspended payments, worsening the shutdown’s toll on low-income families.
For now, recipients in states like Wisconsin and Michigan are receiving aid, while millions in other states remain in limbo.
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