A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund November’s SNAP benefits, a decision that immediately reshapes the political fight surrounding the shutdown. The ruling forces the government to cover the program’s full cost, and it does so at a moment when more than 42 million Americans depend on this assistance to buy groceries.
A ruling that changes the stakes
U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. gave the administration until Friday to release full payments. Although that deadline is aggressive, state agencies will still need time to push the updated amounts onto the program’s debit cards. Therefore, families who rely on SNAP won’t see an immediate deposit, even though the order demands it.
The legal battle began after cities and nonprofit organizations challenged the government’s plan to fund only 65% of the maximum benefit this month. Under federal formulas, that reduction would have resulted in some families receiving nothing at all. Consequently, advocates argued that partial funding would deepen food insecurity nationwide.
Judge McConnell agreed. He noted that the administration “failed to consider the practical consequences” of its approach and emphasized that millions would suffer avoidable harm. His remarks followed earlier decisions blocking the administration from skipping November benefits entirely.
The administration immediately appeals
Shortly after the ruling, administration lawyers filed an appeal. They argued that, during a shutdown, courts should not decide how the president allocates money. Vice President JD Vance called the court’s order “absurd,” insisting that reopening the government is the only way to fully restore funding.
However, two federal judges had already ordered the administration to tap a $4.6 billion emergency reserve to cover part of the program. That fund alone is not enough for a full month, since SNAP typically costs between $8.5 billion and $9 billion. Even so, the administration declined to use additional funds, claiming those dollars were needed for other child-hunger programs.
Partial funding caused deeper disruption
Judge McConnell sharply criticized that decision. “Without SNAP funding for the month of November, 16 million children are immediately at risk of going hungry,” he said. Meanwhile, government attorney Tyler Becker argued that the administration complied with the previous ruling by issuing partial payments. Nevertheless, opposing lawyers said the move was political.
“What defendants are really trying to do is leverage people’s hunger to gain partisan political advantage,” attorney Kristin Bateman told the court. Because of that strategy, she said, millions of families were pushed into unnecessary uncertainty.
Additionally, states warned that adjusting SNAP disbursement formulas mid-month could take weeks or even months. On Monday, the administration said it would fund 50% of maximum benefits. The next day, President Trump suggested that no benefits would be paid unless Democrats agreed to reopen the government. Then, by Wednesday night, the administration revised the plan again and approved 65%.
Under decades-old federal formulas, reductions hit unevenly. As a result, some families would have received no benefits at all, while others — especially single-person and two-person households — could have been left with as little as $16.
For Carmel Scaife of Milwaukee, these swings were devastating. She normally receives $130 a month after a car accident left her unable to work. “Any cuts mean I have to use my Social Security for groceries,” she said. “But that’s the only way I can survive.”
What happens next remains uncertain
Although the administration filed an appeal, this type of emergency order is rarely overturned. Advocacy groups signaled they are ready for a prolonged court fight.
“We shouldn’t have to force the President to care for his citizens,” said Democracy Forward CEO Skye Perryman. “But we will do whatever is necessary to protect people and communities.”
Even with the judge’s ruling, SNAP benefits typically take more than a week to appear on debit cards. Therefore, millions of families may still face delays — yet the order ensures they will ultimately receive the full amount.
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