Supreme Court pauses SNAP benefits order for Trump administration
MIAMI, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 31: A ‘We Accept (Food Stamps)’ sign hangs in the window of a grocery store on October 31, 2025 in Miami, Florida. The food stamp program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), may run out of funding on November 1st due to the federal government shutdown, which is now entering its second month. In Miami-Dade County, nearly one in six residents receives food assistance. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty Images
The Supreme Court has temporarily paused a federal judge’s order requiring the Trump administration to pay full SNAP benefits to 42 million Americans for November by the end of the day.
This decision comes after the 1st Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals denied the administration’s emergency request to stop the order related to food stamp benefits for low-income individuals.
However, the appeals court will soon rule on whether the administration is entitled to a stay of the order issued by U.S. District Court Judge Jack McConnell.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, in the order on Friday night, pushed the 1st Circuit to quickly determine whether to issue that stay.
She stated, “The applicants assert that, without intervention from this Court, they will have to ‘transfer an estimated $4 billion by tonight’ to fund SNAP benefits through November.”
The administration had originally planned not to pay any SNAP benefits in November due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Given the circumstances, an administrative stay is required to facilitate the resolution of the pending stay motion by the 1st Circuit.
The Supreme Court’s stay will terminate forty-eight hours after the 1st Circuit’s resolution of the pending motion.
This two-day window allows for further legal challenges if necessary.
It is uncertain how Jackson’s order will impact SNAP benefit payments.
Earlier on Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture informed states that it would begin disbursing full SNAP benefits to comply with McConnell’s order.
The USDA’s memo did not indicate any changes to this plan, even if a higher court were to block the order.
Several states have already confirmed that some SNAP recipients received full November payments on Friday.
New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed disappointment in the decision, emphasizing the impact on families relying on SNAP benefits.
She criticized the administration for choosing to fight the issue in court rather than fulfilling its responsibility to the American people.
The administration previously announced that it would not pay any SNAP benefits in November due to the federal shutdown.
Plaintiffs, including cities, unions, nonprofits, and a retailer, filed a lawsuit in Rhode Island federal court, leading to McConnell’s order for full benefits to be paid.
McConnell directed the administration to disburse at least partial SNAP benefits promptly by utilizing the contingency fund.
He also instructed them to explore other sources of funding to cover the full SNAP amount.
After initial resistance, the administration agreed to pay 65% of SNAP benefits from the contingency fund.
Following further legal action, McConnell mandated full SNAP payments from available funds, citing the potential consequences of inadequate funding.
The administration sought to block McConnell’s order, but the appeals court denied their request, emphasizing the legality of using the Section 32 fund for SNAP benefits.
Further decisions on the matter are expected to be made promptly.
following sentence in a different way:
The cat sat lazily in the sun, enjoying the warmth on its fur.
