Judge Rules Trump SNAP Suspension “Likely Unlawful”

A Massachusetts federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration’s plan to suspend SNAP food benefits

for 42 million Americans amid the government shutdown was “likely unlawful,”

though she did not order the use of emergency funds to continue payments.

USDA Ordered to Report Options

Boston US District Judge Indira Talwani gave the Department of Agriculture until Monday to report

whether it could “authorize only reduced SNAP benefits”

using disaster contingency money or provide full benefits with “emergency money and additional available funds.”

State Lawsuit Challenges Suspension

Leaders of 25 Democratic-run states and D.C. sued the USDA after officials warned the “well has run dry” for SNAP,

citing the first lapse in federal funding for 60 years.

The states argued the administration violated the Food and Nutrition Act,

which requires that “assistance under this program shall be furnished to all eligible households.”

Contingency Fund Limitations

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated,

“It is only allowed to flow if the underlying program is funded,”

noting the contingency fund wouldn’t cover the $9.2 billion needed for November benefits.