Judges Deliberate on SNAP Benefits Amidst Government Shutdown

Sat Nov 01 2025 01:35:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Two judges may decide shortly whether the Trump administration will be forced to continue SNAP food aid despite the ongoing government shutdown, impacting millions of Americans.

As the government shutdown continues, two judges are set to rule soon on whether the Trump administration must replenish SNAP benefits for November. The outcome could affect the grocery-buying capabilities of approximately 41 million people in the U.S. Beneficiaries may face delays in receiving funds, and advocates worry that halting assistance would force families to choose between groceries and bills. The legal challenge comes amid a backdrop of funding disputes at the federal level.

BOSTON (RTW News) — Developments in the ongoing government shutdown could have significant implications for America's low-income families as two judges are expected to rule on the legality of the Trump administration's decision to suspend SNAP food aid benefits for November.

The future of grocery assistance for approximately 1 in 8 Americans hangs in the balance, with opinions among the judges in a Boston hearing suggesting skepticism towards the administration's justification for halting SNAP benefits, which has never happened in the program's 61-year history.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani voiced concerns during Thursday's legal challenge, pointing out that if the government lacks funds, it must find an equitable solution to manage its resources rather than completely eliminate or suspend benefits. If you don’t have money, you tighten your belt. You are not going to make everyone drop dead because it’s a political game someplace,” she stated.

The court could mandate that billions of dollars be allocated for SNAP, aligning with congressional intentions regarding agency funding shortfalls. However, while a ruling in favor of maintaining benefits could emerge, beneficiaries may still experience delays in receiving funds due to processing times.

Currently, the food aid program is funded at around $8 billion monthly, leading to contention over a contingency fund of roughly $5 billion that government lawyers claim cannot legally be diverted to sustain SNAP. Advocates for SNAP argue that this fund should be utilized for its intended purpose, especially since additional funds exist in a secondary federal account.

Talwani indicated her ruling would have national implications, potentially departing from recent U.S. Supreme Court limitations concerning nationwide injunctions, although it won’t prohibit them outright.

Further complicating matters, another hearing addressing a similar challenge involving cities and nonprofit organizations is slated for Friday in Rhode Island, indicating potential for subsequent appeals regardless of the outcomes.

As agencies brace for a possible shift in the availability of food assistance, many states are ramping up efforts to expedite funds and implement new methods for beneficiaries to access resources. Advocates emphasize the critical nature of uninterrupted SNAP assistance, asserting that halting aid could force vulnerable families into difficult choices regarding essential expenses.

According to recent statistics, to qualify for SNAP, a family of four must have a net income below the federal poverty line of approximately $31,000 per year; last year, SNAP benefited around 41 million people, with the majority being families with children. The urgency for resolution grows as magnified discussions on funding for food aid efforts grapple with legislative processes in Congress.

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