Federal judge orders full November SNAP funding; waivers must continue
Federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ruled this week that USDA’s plan to pause SNAP during the federal shutdown was unlawful and ordered the agency to keep payments flowing — with U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. directing the administration to fund November benefits and to continue all previously granted work‑requirement waivers during the shutdown. The administration said it would tap contingency funds (about $4.65 billion) to provide partial November payments while states recode systems and EBT reloads and benefit calculations — which were revised after a miscalculation — may cause delays and reduced allotments pending further court compliance.
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📌 Key Facts
- Congress failed to pass full-year spending before the Oct. 1, 2025 deadline and a partial federal government shutdown began Oct. 1, triggering OMB contingency planning and agency disruptions.
- On Oct. 10 USDA instructed states not to transmit the files needed to load November SNAP benefits onto EBT cards; many states and Minnesota counties paused approving new SNAP applications and warned benefits would stop on Nov. 1 if funding was not secured.
- A coalition of states, attorneys general and other plaintiffs (roughly 25 states plus D.C.) sued the administration; two federal judges — U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani (Mass.) and Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. (R.I.) — found USDA’s pause unlawful and ordered the government to use contingency/emergency funds to continue SNAP while the cases proceed.
- USDA initially reversed plans to 'shuffle' other program funds, then told courts it would use contingency funds (later quantified as about $4.65 billion) to provide partial November SNAP payments; the department’s initial benefit table and guidance prompted proposed large allotment cuts and an extra income‑based reduction for some households, but USDA later revised its math (reducing the maximum cut to about 35%) after acknowledging a miscalculation.
- Federal judges set short compliance deadlines and required USDA to report plans; on Nov. 6 Judge McConnell ordered the administration to fully fund November SNAP benefits by the court’s deadline and expressly ordered that all previously granted SNAP work‑requirement waivers remain in effect during the shutdown.
- Practical effects and timing: even with court-ordered funding, EBT card reloads and state eligibility recoding could delay benefit disbursements by one to several weeks, some households could receive reduced or no November benefits under interim formulas, and USDA signaled it had no plan for December if the shutdown continued.
- Minnesota impact: the state has roughly 440,000–452,000 SNAP recipients who would have received about $70–73 million in November; counties paused new approvals, food shelves and meal programs reported surging demand (some turning families away), and related programs (WIC, Head Start, LIHEAP) warned they could run out of federal funds by mid‑ to late‑November without additional action.
📚 Contextual Background
- A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass appropriations bills or a continuing resolution to fund federal agencies, causing many federal services to pause and some employees to be furloughed.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal nutrition assistance program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.
📰 Sources (50)
Trump must fully fund SNAP benefits in November, federal judge orders
New information:
- Rhode Island U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the administration to fully fund November SNAP benefits by Friday.
- Court directed the government to use contingency/emergency funds to backfill benefits; the administration cited $4.65 billion available.
- Judge ordered that all previously granted SNAP work‑requirement waivers continue during the shutdown.
- A parallel Massachusetts ruling (Judge Indira Talwani) likewise held USDA must pay SNAP and clarified contingency funds must be used.
Government says SNAP benefit cuts won’t be as deep as announced for some families
New information:
- USDA’s late‑Wednesday court filing details the reduction formula: households at the maximum benefit see a 35% cut, and all households of the same size see the same dollar reduction.
- Concrete examples of November reductions: about $275 less for a family of three and about $105 less for a single‑person household; 1–2 person households have a $16 minimum benefit.
- Some beneficiaries may receive no November SNAP benefits under the formula; USDA has no funding plan for December if the shutdown persists.
- State timing example: EBT cards could load as soon as Friday in Louisiana, with most states taking longer.
USDA revises SNAP benefit amounts during shutdown after admitting miscalculation
New information:
- USDA acknowledged a miscalculation in its initial state guidance and filed revised benefit tables that reduce the maximum November SNAP benefit by about 35% (roughly two‑thirds of the usual benefit), not ~50%.
- The revision is intended to ensure the full $4.65 billion SNAP contingency fund ordered by the court is used; the earlier table would have spent only about $3 billion, leaving ~$1.5 billion unspent.
- The error was flagged in a filing citing an analysis by CBPP’s Sharon Parrott; USDA says it independently discovered and corrected the error and issued new guidance.
- Parties are scheduled to argue before U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. on Thursday afternoon.
Minnesota SNAP recipients worry about feeding their families as shutdown pauses benefits
New information:
- Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families says it has no timeline for when partial SNAP benefits will be paid.
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said executing partial SNAP payments could take 'several weeks.'
- Neighborhood House’s Montreal Ave. food shelf in St. Paul turned families away for the first time since opening in June 2024 due to insufficient food supply.
- On-the-ground reporting shows significantly elevated demand at St. Paul food shelves as SNAP funds lapse.
SNAP benefits delayed with new eligibility rules that may take weeks to implement in Minnesota
New information:
- USDA told states it will use roughly $5B in contingency funds to provide only partial SNAP benefits in November and, per a USDA memo, cut allotments by 50% (with an additional 30% reduction for households with a working member).
- Minnesota DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown said there is no timeline for payments because new USDA procedures require the state to recode its eligibility system, a process that may take weeks.
- A vendor serving 40 states is rejecting some October SNAP applications due to unclear federal guidance and reimbursement concerns, meaning some Minnesotans who applied in October may find no benefits loaded on their cards.
- Minnesota officials warn thousands could arrive at grocery stores expecting benefits that are not available, despite earlier assurances that October applications would be covered.
SNAP benefits in MN: November payments will delayed and cut 50% or more
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF says November SNAP benefits will be cut by at least 50% statewide, with an additional income-based reduction required by USDA guidance.
- State warns benefits will be delayed while Minnesota recodes its eligibility system to apply the new income-based reduction; DCYF is asking USDA to reconsider and allow a simpler uniform cut.
- Pre–income-based amounts were provided (e.g., 1 person $149; 2 people $273; 3 people $392; 4 people $497; 5 people $591; 6 people $710; 7 people $785; 8 people $894; +$109 per additional person).
- Commissioner Tikki Brown criticized the complexity of USDA’s directive; Minnesota has not received new USDA guidance in response to President Trump’s post claiming benefits won’t be paid.
A defiant Trump vows no SNAP payments until Democrats cave on shutdown
New information:
- Trump posted that SNAP 'will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government,' appearing to contradict prior USDA court filings about partial November payments.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later said the administration is complying with the court order and Trump was referring to future use of contingency funds.
- Plaintiffs (led by the Rhode Island State Council of Churches) filed a motion asking the court to compel full benefits, arguing USDA could legally use a $23B child‑nutrition account.
- Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the government to respond and set a hearing for Thursday afternoon.
- USDA said recalculating partial benefits could take months, missing the court’s Wednesday deadline for partial payments.
SNAP crisis in Minnesota: What families could face next
New information:
- USDA faces a Wednesday deadline this week to issue partial November SNAP payments.
- FOX 9 reports payments will be partial and could run out again later in the month absent further action.
- Local impact details: Second Harvest Heartland is delivering emergency food boxes and ordering more supplies; Catholic Charities in St. Cloud underscores the immediate hardship of even short delays.
- Coverage tied to a Minnesota roundtable organized by Rep. Betty McCollum and AG Keith Ellison; on‑the‑ground reporting from a Minnetonka food shelf.
Trump administration will provide partial SNAP benefits following court orders
New information:
- USDA told a federal court it will use $4.65 billion (not ~$5.5B) in contingency funds to provide partial November SNAP benefits.
- USDA will not transfer money from other child nutrition programs (e.g., school meals) to cover full benefits, citing "unacceptable risk."
- A Rhode Island judge ordered USDA to make at least partial payments; a Massachusetts judge required USDA to report plans by Monday.
- USDA said it would provide states with tables to calculate partial benefits by the end of Monday.
- Minnesota AG Keith Ellison co-led a 24-state (plus D.C.) lawsuit; he and Rep. Betty McCollum criticized the administration in a St. Paul news conference.
- Minnesota averages about 440,000 SNAP recipients monthly, including roughly 180,000 children.
Trump administration to pay partial November SNAP benefits by Wednesday
New information:
- USDA told the court it will use the ~$5.5 billion SNAP contingency fund to pay partial November benefits by the end of Wednesday.
- USDA said it is generating the state-by-state benefit calculation table to authorize states to begin disbursements once issued.
- A full month of SNAP benefits costs about $9 billion, confirming the contingency fund cannot cover the entire month.
Trump administration to pay about half of November SNAP benefits amid shutdown
New information:
- Identifies U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. as the judge who ordered the government to pay at least part of SNAP benefits by Wednesday.
- Details the judge’s two options to the administration: partial benefits via the $4.65B contingency fund by Wednesday or full-month benefits by Monday by tapping other reserves (e.g., child nutrition).
- USDA chose the contingency-fund route and said it would generate state benefit tables on Monday to authorize states to begin disbursements.
- USDA deputy under secretary Patrick A. Penn warned the administrative process could delay payments 'anywhere from a few weeks to up to several months' in some states due to system constraints.
- Includes on-record criticism from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer calling partial benefits insufficient and unlawful.
Trump administration must restart SNAP benefits by Wednesday, judge rules
New information:
- Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued a written TRO stating there is "no question" USDA must use SNAP contingency funds during the shutdown.
- Sets two compliance paths: fund full November benefits (~$9B) by end of Monday or pay out the entire $6B contingency by Wednesday.
- Suggests USDA tap $23B in a state child nutrition fund to cover the gap if choosing full benefits.
- Orders the government to update the court by noon Monday on compliance.
- Notes plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits; quotes Trump’s post and acknowledges his stated willingness to fund SNAP if given legal direction.
- Mentions a separate Boston case finding USDA’s pause illegal, with the administration given until Monday to respond before further action.
SNAP benefits latest: Emergency funding uncertain as shutdown continues
New information:
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration is awaiting court direction on SNAP funding during the shutdown.
- Article says the administration reversed an earlier plan to use USDA’s $5B contingency fund and notes Democrats argue a separate ~$23B fund could be tapped.
- Restates card-loading logistics: even with funding, EBT benefits could be delayed by a week or more.
Trump administration faces a deadline to tell judges whether it will use contingency funds for SNAP
New information:
- Rhode Island Judge John J. McConnell said all previously granted SNAP work-requirement waivers must continue to be honored during the shutdown.
- Article notes USDA terminated existing waivers during the shutdown, which the court order counters.
- Confirms both judges gave the administration leeway to fund SNAP partially or in full for November, with formal updates due Monday.
- Details SNAP financing options: USDA’s $5B contingency fund and an additional cited ~$23B fund that Democratic officials argue could be used.
- Clarifies operational impact: November benefits will be delayed regardless because card loads take up to a week in many states.
- Restates scope and scale: SNAP serves about 1 in 8 Americans and costs roughly $8B per month.
The Trump administration faces a Monday deadline to tell judges if it will fully fund SNAP
New information:
- Judge John J. McConnell’s Saturday order sets execution deadlines: if full payments are made, they must be issued by end of day Monday; if partial payments, by Wednesday.
- Trump said on social media he directed government lawyers to prepare SNAP payments, though the administration has not committed to full vs. partial benefits.
- AP notes USDA had terminated existing work-requirement waivers during the shutdown; McConnell’s order requires all prior waivers to continue being honored.
- Even if approved, November SNAP disbursements will be delayed because EBT card loading can take up to two weeks in some states.
United Way launches relief campaign as federal shutdown pressures Minnesota food shelves
New information:
- Local translation of the federal ruling: Minnesota agencies expect only partial November SNAP benefits with unclear timing pending USDA’s Monday report.
- Twin Cities-specific mobilization: United Way emergency campaign and expanded food shelf operations to bridge potential benefit gaps.
Trump administration blocked from cutting off SNAP benefits as two judges issue orders
New information:
- Massachusetts Judge Indira Talwani ruled USDA’s plan to pause SNAP illegal, finding the agency must use the contingency reserve and other previously appropriated funds.
- Talwani ordered the administration to say by Monday whether it will provide at least partial November benefits while she considers the motion.
- Rhode Island Judge John James McConnell Jr. granted a temporary restraining order requiring USDA to continue SNAP payments, citing arbitrary and capricious action and violation of federal spending laws.
- Minnesota is among 25 states plus D.C. that sued; the rulings come one day before the planned November SNAP cutoff during the shutdown.
Judges could rule on the fate of SNAP food aid as deadline nears for shutdown to end payments
New information:
- At Thursday’s Boston hearing, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani expressed skepticism about halting SNAP and said agencies should find an 'equitable' way to reduce benefits if funds are short.
- Talwani indicated she may require the government to use emergency funds and that any order would apply nationwide; a ruling could come as soon as Friday.
- Government lawyers argued a ~$5B contingency fund cannot legally be used to maintain SNAP; states pointed to an additional ~$23B in another account.
- A second, similar lawsuit from cities and nonprofits is set for a Friday hearing before a Rhode Island‑based federal judge.
- Even if benefits are restored, EBT reloads could be delayed 1–2 weeks into November due to processing timelines.
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said contingency funds would not last long and blamed Senate Democrats for a failed congressional effort to continue SNAP during the shutdown.
Minnesota’s federal workers plead for resolution of government shutdown
New information:
- Minnesota AG Keith Ellison testified that a federal judge is expected to rule soon in the 25-state SNAP lawsuit.
- Minnesota Management and Budget estimates WIC funds in Minnesota will last only through the third week of November; Minnesota receives roughly $9 million per month for WIC.
- State officials testified that USDA removed its shutdown contingency plan from its website, complicating state communications and planning.
Food banks, meal kitchens brace for impact as food benefits set to stop
New information:
- Local providers report an immediate uptick in demand: Catholic Charities Twin Cities now serves 1,000+ meals daily, several hundred above usual.
- Catholic Charities warns it may cap daily meal service for the first time in a long time if need continues to rise.
- The Food Group’s executive director estimates Minnesota’s November SNAP benefits at roughly $70 million and says private aid cannot fill that gap in one month.
- Article notes the presiding federal judge indicated she would rule later Thursday on whether to force the administration to use reserve funds.
- Contextualizes scale in Minnesota: more than 400,000 Minnesotans could lose food benefits Nov. 1 absent federal action.
+ 30 more sources