Judge Gives Trump Administration Until Monday to Act on SNAP Benefits

A federal judge has given the Trump administration until Monday to decide how it will respond to the court’s order to continue SNAP (food stamp) payments to 42 million low-income Americans, as the shutdown threatens to halt the nation’s largest anti-hunger program for the first time in U.S. history.

Federal Court: Emergency Funds Must Be Used

In a ruling issued Friday, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani acknowledged that millions of families will lose food assistance starting Saturday, but stopped short of issuing a temporary restraining order against the administration. Instead, she directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop a plan using available emergency funds — and to report that plan to the court no later than Monday.

“Resuming payments at some point can still avoid irreparable harm to SNAP recipients,” Talwani wrote, allowing a narrow legal path for continued support even after the scheduled lapse.

What’s at Stake

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) supports 1 in 8 Americans.
• This marks the first time in history that a presidential administration has moved to fully suspend SNAP benefits during a government shutdown.
• Over two dozen Democratic-led states sued the USDA, arguing the move is unlawful. The judge agreed the states had legal grounds to challenge the suspension.

Read the court ruling and legal challenge details

Food Banks Brace for Surge

Across the country, food banks are scrambling to prepare for the fallout.

In New York City, volunteers with New York Common Pantry packed emergency food kits Wednesday in anticipation of a spike in demand. Other pantries across Illinois, California, Michigan, and Georgia have reported similar surges in visitors as SNAP recipients brace for empty EBT cards this weekend.

Learn more about the emergency response from food banks

Key Takeaways

• The Trump administration must respond by Monday with a plan to use USDA funds for at least partial SNAP coverage.
• The court acknowledged contingency and additional federal funds are legally available.
• Millions of Americans may still go without benefits for several days, unless action is taken over the weekend.

Stay updated at governmentshutdown.net for breaking coverage on the shutdown’s impact on food aid and other federal services.

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