USDA says it's working to comply with judge's order to pay full SNAP benefits [View all]

Source: Politico

11/07/2025 02:27 PM EST


The Trump administration told states Friday it working to comply with a federal court order to pay full November food stamp benefits during the government shutdown, according to a memo obtained by POLITICO.

USDA wrote in the memo that “later today” it will “complete the processes necessary” to make funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program available.

The move comes after the Trump administration asked the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals for an emergency stay of a lower court’s order to pay full November SNAP benefits. Justice Department lawyers argued in the filing that U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr.'s decision was misguided and is likely to be overturned on appeal.

Nearly 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, which ran out of funding Nov. 1. While the Trump administration has agreed to tap an emergency fund to pay partial SNAP benefits, it has previously argued it cannot legally use a separate bucket of money to fully fund the billions needed for the program.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/07/usda-tells-states-snap-benefits-shutdown-00642403