A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled Friday that the Trump administration’s decision to suspend SNAP food benefits for 42 million Americans amid the ongoing government shutdown was likely unlawful. However, the judge stopped short of ordering the White House to use emergency funds to keep payments going.
In a 15-page order, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani directed the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to clarify by Monday whether it could provide reduced SNAP benefits using disaster relief funds, or full benefits through emergency and other available resources.
The lawsuit was filed by 25 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia, after the USDA announced that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) had nearly run out due to the shutdown.
If not resolved, Saturday would mark the first lapse in federal SNAP funding in 60 years, with states arguing that the administration’s suspension violated the Food and Nutrition Act, which mandates assistance to all eligible households.
Judge Talwani’s ruling signaled that the administration’s actions were inconsistent with federal law, though she declined to immediately compel spending.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the USDA’s contingency fund could not legally be used to sustain SNAP payments, even if the administration wanted to.
Rollins explained that the fund—normally reserved for disasters like hurricanes—covers less than half of the $9.2 billion required for November benefits and can only be accessed if Congress approves the underlying program’s funding.
