The Trump administration said Monday it will comply with federal court orders requiring the government to tap emergency funds to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) operating after its regular funding ran out over the weekend. The move comes after millions of Americans faced uncertainty over whether they would receive benefits as the government shutdown stretched beyond one month.
More than 40 million people rely on SNAP each month to help purchase food. Funding for the program lapsed Saturday, raising fears of delayed or reduced benefits.
Court Orders Force Action
Two federal judges issued rulings Friday directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use an existing contingency fund containing roughly $5 billion to continue SNAP payments. However, USDA officials noted the program typically costs more than $9 billion per month, meaning the contingency funds alone would only cover part of November's benefits.
The judges also said the USDA could consider using up to $17 billion in tariff revenue collected by the federal government as an additional funding source, giving the administration some flexibility to fill remaining gaps. The administration was required to update both courts by midday Monday on its progress.
In Rhode Island, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell ruled that the administration must release the contingency funds and continue honoring previously approved work requirement waivers—rules that had allowed older adults, veterans, and others to receive benefits without meeting standard work thresholds. The USDA had recently moved to end those waivers.
Similarly, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts called the planned suspension of benefits “unlawful,” ruling that SNAP payments must continue.
Political Blame Goes Both Ways
The pause in SNAP funding immediately deepened partisan tensions in Washington.
Senate Democrats attempted last week to pass a bill that would allow the program to continue operating during the shutdown, arguing that food assistance should not be entangled in budget negotiations. Republicans blocked the measure, saying Democrats were using the bill to score political points rather than resolve the shutdown as a whole.
At the same time, some Republicans have signaled concern about the consequences of leaving millions of families without food support.
“I think we’ve got to find some way to get help to 40 million people,” said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., earlier in the week. “This Saturday is going to be bad. It’s going to be really bad.”
On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Donald Trump could potentially release funds to resume payments by Wednesday, but he insisted that lawmakers had responsibilities of their own.
“There is a process that has to be followed,” Bessent said in an interview. When asked if payments could resume by midweek, he responded, “Could be. And five Democratic senators could cross the aisle and open the government by Wednesday.”
The administration also confirmed it does not plan to appeal the court rulings.
What This Means for SNAP Recipients
For now, the court orders provide temporary assurance, not long-term stability. The contingency funds may only cover a portion of November benefits, and there remains no agreement in Congress to reopen the government or restore regular program funding.
USDA officials have not clarified exactly how much assistance will be distributed or whether payments might be delayed.
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