**Uncertainty Looms Over SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown and Legal Battle**

*PHILADELPHIA*—Volunteer Karen Robinson moves groceries during an emergency food distribution at The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Mitzvah Food Program in Philadelphia on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. As the federal government shutdown continues, states administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves approximately 42 million Americans, are facing uncertainty over how—and whether—to provide full monthly benefits.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump’s administration demanded that states “undo” full benefits previously paid out under SNAP during a brief window between a federal judge’s order for full funding and a subsequent Supreme Court justice’s temporary pause on that order. A federal appeals court in Boston left the full benefits order in place late on Sunday. However, the Supreme Court’s action ensures the government won’t be required to disburse funds for at least 48 hours.

> “The record here shows that the government sat on its hands for nearly a month, unprepared to make partial payments, while people who rely on SNAP received no benefits a week into November and counting,” wrote Judge Julie Rikleman of the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Trump administration is expected to petition the Supreme Court to intervene again, while Congress considers including SNAP funding in a broader proposal to end the shutdown. Several states have warned of “catastrophic operational disruptions” if the federal government does not reimburse them for SNAP benefits they have already authorized. Meanwhile, some states are providing partial monthly benefits with federal reserves or state funds, while others are loading electronic benefit cards as guidance evolves.

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**Millions Receive Aid—Others Wait**

Initially, the Trump administration announced that SNAP benefits would not be available in November due to the government shutdown. After lawsuits from states and nonprofit organizations, federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled that the administration could not skip November benefits entirely. The administration then authorized emergency reserve funds to provide 65% of the maximum monthly benefit.

However, on Thursday, Rhode Island-based U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell found this insufficient and ordered full funding for SNAP benefits by Friday. Some states acted quickly, instructing their EBT vendors to distribute full monthly SNAP benefits. Millions of recipients received funds before Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson placed McConnell’s order on hold pending further appeals.

Millions more, however, have yet to receive SNAP payments for November, as many states await definitive guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

> “Continued delays deepen suffering for children, seniors, and working families, and force nonprofits to shoulder an even heavier burden,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. “If basic decency and humanity don’t compel the administration to assure food security for all Americans, then multiple federal court judges finding its actions unlawful must.”

The administration argues that judicial orders for full benefits violate the Constitution by infringing on the spending powers of the legislative and executive branches.

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**States Push Back on Federal Demands**

On Sunday, Trump administration officials asserted that states had acted too quickly, allegedly disbursing full SNAP benefits improperly. Patrick Penn, Deputy Undersecretary of Agriculture, instructed state SNAP directors that any steps taken to issue full November benefits “must immediately” be undone and warned of potential penalties.

Wisconsin, one of the first states to distribute full benefits following the court order, saw its federal reimbursement frozen. According to court filings, Wisconsin’s SNAP account could be depleted as soon as Monday, jeopardizing reimbursement to grocery stores accepting SNAP payments.

Some Democratic governors pledged to oppose federal attempts to retract funds. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont reassured state residents:

> “No, Connecticut does not need to take back SNAP benefits already sent to the 360,000 people who depend on them for food and who should have never been caught in the middle of this political fight,” Lamont said. “We have their back.”

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