A federal judge has intervened to protect vital food assistance for millions of Americans during the ongoing government shutdown, ordering the Trump administration to fully fund November's SNAP benefits.
Legal Challenge to Partial Funding
US District Judge John J McConnell Jr issued the ruling on Thursday in response to legal challenges from cities and non-profit organisations. The legal action came after the administration proposed covering only 65% of the maximum benefit using emergency funding.
Judge McConnell strongly criticised the government's approach, stating that officials had "failed to consider the practical consequences associated with this decision to only partially fund SNAP." He emphasised that they were aware of the "long delay in paying partial SNAP payments and failed to consider the harms individuals who rely on those benefits would suffer."
Shutdown Creates Food Security Crisis
The ruling comes as the federal government shutdown stretches into its 37th day, creating unprecedented challenges for the nation's social safety net. The Trump administration had initially announced that no November benefits would be paid at all due to the shutdown.
Following earlier court interventions, the government revised its position, first offering to cover half the benefits before increasing this to 65%. However, plaintiffs argued this was insufficient for the nearly 42 million Americans who depend on the programme, which represents approximately one in eight US citizens.
National Impact and Response
The SNAP programme represents a crucial component of America's social safety net, costing more than $8 billion per month nationally. The uncertainty surrounding November payments triggered emergency responses from food banks and state governments across the country.
The Department of Agriculture had planned to utilise $4.65 billion in emergency funding for partial payments, but the court has now compelled full funding for the month. The ruling highlights the severe consequences of the prolonged government shutdown on vulnerable populations who rely on federal assistance programmes for basic necessities.
