Double trouble: The management of two federal agencies must keep Snap funded during the shutdown
Two separate judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration must continue to fund the food aid program (Snap) despite the ongoing government shutdown, rejecting the administration’s claim that it will not use emergency funds to use the Contingency program to make it work.
According to Newshone, decisions were made almost simultaneously in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, ordering management to be pulled from emergency funds to ensure that millions of Americans continue to receive food benefits during the shutdown. The decisions came one day before the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) planned to suspend all Snap payments due to lack of funds.
Snap scale and cost
Snap, the nation’s largest high-hunger program, provides monthly food benefits to low-income individuals and families. In Newsne Via ABC7, it reports that it costs about $8 billion a month to fund the program across the country. In fiscal year 2024, Snap’s spending is close to $100.3 billion, only 1.5% of which is spent on cash.
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This program serves one in eight Americans, 39% of recipients are children, 20% are elderly, and 10% are respectful people with disabilities, making it a critical safety net in times of economic uncertainty.
Legal Fight
The newspaper says that Democratic State Attorneys from the State Legislature and governors from 25 states, as well as the District of Columbia, are suing the administration for its payment enhancement program. The group said the government has a legal obligation to maintain Snap’s operations, even after the money ends.
The Trump administration has maintained that it is prohibited from using the $5 billion fund, reversing the USDA’s previous policy that allowed such use. Federal authorities disagree, insisting that the money was illegal and necessary to protect recipients from harm. They also identified a $23 billion reserve fund that could be used to extend benefits further if needed.
Court Orders
According to Newshone, in Rhode Island, a Federal judge ruled that the administration must immediately buy Contingency funds to cover the November profit and provide a compliance update on Monday.
A Massachusetts-based judge issued a similar order, giving executives until the same day to report whether Snap will be partially or fully operated using the state’s storage facilities. Both decisions force the administration to subsidize food assistance payments through a shutdown.
Uncertainty ahead
While the decisions show short-term wins for states and families depending on Snap, the newspaper notes that the Trump administration is expected to appeal both decisions. Even if it is in line with the judge’s orders, it remains unclear when the money comes from Snap Debit cards.
In the meantime, the courts have ordered the administration to take action but with the appeal, millions of households may face concerns that their next month’s benefits will arrive on time.
