Trump Administration Must Make Food Stamp Payments Within Days, Judge Says

What the judge ordered

• A federal judge in Rhode Island, John J. McConnell Jr., directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make full SNAP benefit payments for November within days — by Monday for full payment, or by Wednesday for partial payments. DD News+3Reuters+3The Washington Post+3

• The judge found the USDA’s plan to delay payments or provide partial payments to be causing “irreparable harm” to 42 million Americans, including 16 million children. The Washington Post+1

• He said the administration’s avoidance of tapping contingency funds (about $5.25 billion) — and possibly a $23 billion reserve account — was arbitrary and lacked justification. Reuters+1

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⚠️ What’s the context & complication

• The federal government has been shutdown since October 1, 2025, which triggered the funding crisis for SNAP payments. Wikipedia+1

• The USDA argued it lacked authority to disburse full benefits without current congressional appropriations — thus only partial payments were initially planned. CBS News+1

• The Supreme Court of the United States stepped in: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an emergency order suspending the lower-court ruling temporarily, giving an appeals court time to review. Politico

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🔍 Why it matters

• SNAP benefits are critical for low-income Americans (roughly 1 in 8 U.S. residents). Delays or reductions can lead to food insecurity, increased reliance on food banks, and broader social harm. The Washington Post

• The case tests the constitutional/fiscal boundaries: When appropriations lapse due to a shutdown, what obligations does the executive branch have to continue mandatory benefit programs?

• It illustrates how legal and judicial mechanisms intervene when government actions (or inaction) deeply affect vulnerable populations.

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🧐 Key takeaways

• The judge’s order emphasises that relying on “we can’t pay because of the shutdown” is not sufficient when people’s basic needs are at stake.

• Even though the order was given, the Supreme Court’s stay means the administration may still delay full compliance pending appeals. AP News+1

• States and local agencies are in a difficult position — some may proceed to issue full benefits, others may hold off pending federal clarity.