A federal judge in the United States on Friday (October 31) ordered the Trump administration to stop cutting off food stamp benefits due to the government shutdown starting this weekend, and instructed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to first use around $5.25 billion in emergency funds to distribute benefits for November.
During a hearing in Rhode Island, Judge John McConnell stated, “The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have never been terminated so far.”
The judge pointed out that the U.S. government has acknowledged the ability to use emergency funds during a shutdown with a precedent in 2019. Judge McConnell requested the USDA to distribute the funds “promptly or as soon as possible” and report on the progress to the court by Monday (November 3).
While the emergency funds total approximately $5.25 billion, the total expenditure for SNAP benefits in November is expected to exceed $9 billion, creating a significant funding gap.
Despite this, McConnell’s decision temporarily averts the situation where benefits for over forty million Americans would be completely cut off starting Saturday. He rejected the government’s argument that emergency funds should only be used for uncontrollable disasters such as hurricanes.
Judge McConnell, appointed by former President Obama, is currently presiding over the lawsuit filed jointly by several cities and private organizations.
Plaintiff lawyer Michael Torcello emphasized in court, “The shutdown is an emergency situation for our clients. Starting tomorrow, millions of Americans will not be able to access these benefits.”
Nearly simultaneously, Judge Indira Talwani in the Boston area of Massachusetts – also appointed by Obama – issued a written order hinting at issuing a similar order for another lawsuit brought by twenty-five Democratic-led states. Talwani requested the Trump administration to clarify by Monday how the emergency funds will be used.
The government warned in court documents that partial payment of November benefits could trigger a “run on the banks” effect, with states and beneficiaries rushing to claim funds before they run out.
The federal government stressed, “Partial payment has never been implemented before for good reason.” The USDA stated that recalculating benefits requires complex adjustments to the system, involving regulatory restrictions that could take several weeks or possibly not be completed.
Both lawsuits were brought by coalitions of twenty-five Democratic-led states, cities, and private organizations against the USDA’s refusal to use emergency funds.
The government shutdown has now entered its fifth week with no immediate signs of ending.
Judge McConnell’s decision did not require the USDA to continue paying benefits after the emergency funds are depleted. Once the funds are exhausted, the SNAP benefits program still faces the risk of interruption. The program is the largest food assistance program in the U.S., with approximately one in ten Americans relying on these food stamp benefits.