USDA orders states to fund only 65% of November SNAP after Supreme Court stay, tells states to undo full issuances
After the Supreme Court temporarily stayed a Rhode Island judge’s order requiring full November SNAP payments, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service — via a memo signed by Deputy Under Secretary Patrick Penn — instructed states to “immediately undo” any full issuances and to limit November SNAP to roughly 65% of usual benefits using contingency funds, warning of consequences for noncompliance. The directive followed chaotic judicial orders and appeals, with some states having already loaded full benefits (and then seeing federal reimbursements frozen), governors and agencies saying they cannot claw back payments, and multistate litigation and operational warnings mounting over the humanitarian impact.
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📌 Key Facts
- The federal government shutdown created immediate uncertainty for SNAP: USDA initially instructed states not to transmit the files needed to load November benefits and warned SNAP funds would run out on Nov. 1 if the shutdown continued.
- A coalition of states and nonprofits sued; two district judges (Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island and Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts) ruled USDA’s plan to pause SNAP was unlawful and ordered the agency to use contingency/emergency funds to continue November payments, setting near-term compliance deadlines.
- USDA told courts it would use a roughly $4.65 billion contingency fund to provide at least partial November benefits and produced state-by-state benefit tables; an initial miscalculation prompted a revised table that reduced maximum benefits by about 35% (leaving roughly two‑thirds of usual allotments), and USDA warned implementation and EBT card reloading could take weeks in some states.
- Following the judges’ orders, USDA/FNS (via a letter signed by Deputy Under Secretary Patrick A. Penn) directed states late Friday to transmit full issuance files so November benefits could be loaded, and many states—including Minnesota—began loading full benefits over the weekend.
- Late Friday the U.S. Supreme Court (Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson) granted the administration’s emergency stay pausing the lower-court order; on Saturday USDA/FNS sent memos (signed by Penn) telling states to “immediately undo” any steps to issue full November payments and instead to fund only about 65% of a typical allotment, warning of consequences if states did not comply.
- States and governors pushed back: several said they could not claw back benefits already issued (Minnesota said it has no mechanism to recover payments), some refused USDA’s demand, and states warned that frozen reimbursements and potential repayment demands could cause "catastrophic operational disruptions" (Wisconsin reported its SNAP account could be depleted and reimbursements were frozen).
- The SNAP turmoil produced acute local impacts: in Minnesota roughly 440,000 people rely on SNAP, food shelves and meal programs reported sharp demand spikes, and nonprofits and local governments launched emergency relief campaigns and temporary funding to help families while courts and federal agencies litigated and implemented payment plans.
- Legal and appellate activity continued: the administration appealed, the 1st U.S. Circuit at one point upheld the Rhode Island district court order requiring full November payments, and the Solicitor General notified the Supreme Court that the government was continuing its appeal while arguing courts cannot reallocate child‑nutrition funds to cover SNAP shortfalls.
📚 Contextual Background
- Starting Oct. 1, the new maximum monthly SNAP allotments for Minnesota households are: 1 person $298, 2 people $546, 3 people $785, 4 people $994, 5 people $1,183, 6 people $1,421, 7 people $1,571, 8 people $1,789, and each additional person $218.
📰 Sources (70)
Shutdown battle ebbs, but Trump won’t give up trying to withhold full SNAP benefits
New information:
- The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals late Sunday upheld a Rhode Island district court order requiring USDA to pay full November SNAP benefits.
- On Monday, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer notified the Supreme Court the administration is continuing its appeal and argued courts cannot reallocate child‑nutrition funds to cover a SNAP shortfall.
- U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani (D. Mass.) kept in place a TRO blocking USDA’s Saturday memo instructing states to 'immediately undo' full November issuances and criticized the agency for creating confusion.
The shutdown could end this week. Here’s what that might mean for Minnesotans.
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF confirms full November SNAP was issued Friday but says the state has no mechanism to claw back benefits despite USDA’s Saturday directive.
- State urges eligible residents to apply for SNAP and encourages donations to local food banks while court issues are resolved.
- Senate deal would fully fund SNAP until September 2026, potentially resolving the November benefits uncertainty.
The SNAP funding back-and-forth, explained
New information:
- Minnesota officials say they will not claw back full November SNAP payments already distributed and note the state has no mechanism to do so.
- Minnesota distributed full November SNAP benefits over the weekend after USDA released funds Friday; recipients confirmed credits were received.
- AG Keith Ellison said Monday that 'the money is flowing' in Minnesota and criticized the administration’s attempts to curb payments.
- Minnesota accelerated some benefit issuance to protect residents amid expected legal whiplash.
States face uncertainty as Trump administration tries to reverse SNAP food payments
New information:
- AP identifies U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell as the judge who ordered full SNAP funding by Friday, prior to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s temporary stay.
- AP reports Wisconsin’s federal reimbursement was frozen and its SNAP account could be depleted as soon as Monday, risking reimbursements to retailers.
- USDA deputy under secretary Patrick Penn warned states could face penalties if they do not 'immediately undo' steps to issue full November benefits.
- Some governors (e.g., Connecticut’s Ned Lamont) publicly vowed not to claw back benefits already disbursed.
- An appeals court is considering a longer halt to full benefits and Congress is weighing SNAP funding in a shutdown-ending package.
Minnesota cities, counties fund food aid after SNAP delays
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF began issuing full November SNAP benefits on Friday before USDA told states Saturday that payments were unauthorized following the Supreme Court stay.
- Local impact: food shelves report immediate demand spikes, prompting metro governments to inject local funds.
- Quantified local scale: about 440,000 Minnesotans receive SNAP monthly; one provider (Open Cupboard) reports a 10–15% daily increase and 1,300 first-time users since Oct. 20.
Minnesota says it can't undo SNAP payments despite Trump admin demand
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF says the state cannot claw back SNAP funds once issued and has no mechanism to retrieve benefits from recipients.
- Timeline: Minnesota received a Friday noon USDA memo instructing full November SNAP payments, issued benefits over the weekend, then received a Saturday evening Nov. 8 memo ordering states to undo full issuances.
- Minnesota states the Saturday memo threatens severe financial penalties that would harm residents and says it is evaluating the Nov. 8 directive.
- Minnesota notes its normal SNAP issuance schedule (4th–13th each month) and that some full benefits were already sent over the weekend.
States told by Trump administration to ‘undo’ full SNAP benefits paid for November
New information:
- USDA FNS issued a Saturday memo directing states to fund only 65% of November SNAP and to 'immediately undo' any steps taken to issue full benefits.
- The memos were signed by Patrick A. Penn, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.
- Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said they would not claw back already authorized full benefits; Kansas had authorized full payments earlier Friday under prior guidance.
- Sequence clarified: a Friday USDA memo told states to issue full benefits consistent with a Thursday ruling, then the Supreme Court’s late‑Friday stay prompted the 65% guidance and 'undo' instruction.
Trump administration tells states to ‘undo’ full SNAP payouts
New information:
- USDA deputy undersecretary Patrick Penn sent a memo instructing state SNAP directors to immediately 'undo' any steps taken to issue full November benefits, calling such payments 'unauthorized.'
- The memo warned states could face consequences if they do not comply.
- States that loaded full benefits between the lower‑court rulings and the Supreme Court stay are now awaiting federal reimbursement, which USDA/Treasury froze after the stay.
- Example cited: Wisconsin loaded benefits for roughly 700,000 residents and says it could run out of money by Monday without federal reimbursement.
- Leaders from more than two dozen states warned of 'catastrophic operational disruptions' if funds do not flow.
Trump administration demands states ‘undo’ full SNAP payouts as states warn of ‘catastrophic impact’
New information:
- USDA deputy undersecretary Patrick Penn told state SNAP directors that any full November issuances were "unauthorized" and ordered states to "immediately undo" steps taken to issue full benefits.
- Wisconsin loaded benefits for roughly 700,000 residents but reports the U.S. Treasury froze reimbursements; the state warns it could run out of money by Monday absent federal funding.
- A multistate filing at the 1st Circuit warns states could be asked to return "hundreds of millions of dollars," risking "catastrophic operational disruptions" if reimbursements are not made.
- Gov. Tony Evers’ administration publicly rejected USDA’s demand, saying Wisconsin acted under an active court order and that USDA had indicated it was working to make funds available.
Trump administration orders states to pause paying full SNAP benefits
New information:
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service sent a memo directing states to "immediately undo any steps" to issue full November SNAP payments and instead issue only partial benefits, about 65% of the usual amount.
- The memo warns states that failure to comply could trigger consequences, including cancellation of federal funding that helps cover states’ SNAP administrative costs.
- The directive follows Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s late‑Friday temporary stay of a Rhode Island judge’s order requiring USDA to release full November benefits; USDA had earlier indicated it was preparing to comply before the stay.
- Scope reiterated: roughly 42 million people nationwide depend on SNAP, underscoring the local impact in Minnesota and the Twin Cities.
Minnesota restores full SNAP benefits to families in need
New information:
- Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth and Families began issuing full November SNAP benefits on Friday, with recipients starting to see funds on Saturday.
- The state cites protecting Minnesotans amid uncertainty after the Supreme Court temporarily paused a lower‑court order Friday night.
- Despite the stay, the federal government had already agreed to release benefits and Minnesota (and other states) proceeded with issuance.
- Scale and value: about 440,000 Minnesotans receive SNAP, averaging roughly $6 per day.
US Supreme Court temporarily blocks November SNAP payments
New information:
- Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued the stay, pausing a Rhode Island judge’s order that USDA transfer funds to cover full November SNAP.
- Lower-court order identified: Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell directed USDA to use a $23B child-nutrition fund; about $4B was needed for full November SNAP.
- USDA had sent midday Friday guidance that led states to seek full funding; Wisconsin’s request caused a $20M overdraft on its letter of credit, Kansas made a similar move, and some Californians briefly saw full benefits loaded.
- Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued separation-of-powers: USDA chose partial November SNAP using ~$5B in contingency funds versus ~$9B required for a full month to avoid jeopardizing child-nutrition programs.
- Uncertainty remains over how already-initiated state loads affect individual EBT cards after the stay.
Government shutdown latest: Senators working through the weekend
New information:
- The U.S. Supreme Court granted the administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block the lower-court order requiring full November SNAP payments.
- As a result, November SNAP benefits are delayed again despite prior expectations of full funding.
Minnesotans will receive full SNAP benefits for November over the weekend, officials say
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF says it will load full November SNAP and MFIP benefits 'over the weekend,' providing a specific state timeline.
- DCYF confirms USDA is working to implement full benefits in compliance with the court order.
- On‑record statement from DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown about the shutdown’s impact and the imminent restoration of benefits.
- Local scope reiterated: more than 440,000 Minnesotans (including 180,000 children and 67,000 seniors) depend on these benefits monthly.
Minnesota officials say SNAP benefits will be funded for November
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF confirms it will issue full November SNAP benefits this weekend and include MFIP households
- State says some households will be paid earlier than usual to protect against uncertainty from potential future court orders
- Commissioner Tikki Brown quoted on scope and impacts; reiterates beneficiary counts (440k total; 180k children; 67k seniors)
- Notes additional states (CA, KS, NJ, PA, WI) reporting full issuances underway
Minnesota officials say SNAP benefits will be funded for November
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF says it will issue full November SNAP allotments this weekend and include MFIP households.
- State notes some households may receive payments earlier than typical to protect against potential future court orders.
- Commissioner Tikki Brown statement on the breadth of impact and urgency.
- Updated scale: more than 440,000 Minnesotans rely on SNAP/MFIP monthly, including 180,000 children and 67,000 seniors.
- Other states (CA, KS, NJ, PA, WI) have confirmed issuing full November payments.
- Local context: St. Paul’s shutdown‑response food drive has collected over 10,000 pounds of food so far.
Minnesota SNAP recipients to get full November benefits within days, state officials say
New information:
- Minnesota officials say November SNAP benefits could be issued as soon as this weekend.
- State will issue some benefits earlier than usual to protect recipients amid potential future court-order uncertainty, per the Department of Children, Youth and Families.
- Confirms USDA sent a Friday letter saying funds would be available within hours; the letter omits Tuesday's partial‑benefit formula guidance, rendering it moot for now.
- Context: Walz recently redirected $4 million to food shelves, which remain strained.
Full November SNAP benefits to be issued by Trump administration despite shutdown
New information:
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service told states it will release full November SNAP funding on Friday, Nov. 7, complying with a federal court order.
- Deputy Under Secretary Patrick A. Penn signed the FNS letter instructing states to transmit full issuance files to EBT processors.
- The administration abandoned its appeal filed after Judge John J. McConnell Jr.’s order and is reversing prior guidance that declined to use contingency and other USDA accounts.
SNAP latest: Trump appeals judge's order to distribute food funds
New information:
- Identifies the judge as U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island and notes his Thursday order requiring full November SNAP payments by Friday.
- Details the administration’s plan to issue only 65% of the maximum SNAP benefit absent the order.
- Cites the government’s reliance on a $4.65 billion contingency fund and its request that the appeals court bar orders requiring spending beyond that amount.
- Provides a direct quote from Judge McConnell criticizing the failure to consider harms from partial funding and delays.
- Notes Wisconsin reported some recipients already received full November payments overnight, with confirmation from the governor’s spokesperson.
- Frames scale: roughly 1 in 8 Americans rely on SNAP; mentions near‑$300 max for individuals and near‑$1,000 for a family of four.
Trump administration seeks to halt SNAP food aid payments after a court order
New information:
- The Trump administration asked a federal appeals court on Nov. 7 to suspend orders requiring full November SNAP payments, arguing separation‑of‑powers violations.
- Wisconsin officials said some recipients received full November SNAP benefits overnight Thursday.
- Michigan DHHS outlined distribution timing once federal funds are received, including expedited payments for those with 3rd/5th/7th cycle dates.
- The administration previously planned to fund only about 65% of maximum benefits in November and now argues it cannot spend beyond the contingency fund without Congress.
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