Update on SNAP Benefits

Update on SNAP Benefits

We are now in the longest government shutdown in American history as we are at the thirty-sixth day of the shutdown and there is a lot of confusion going on when it comes to SNAP benefits.

Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island had given a ruling that the Trump administration must issue SNAP benefits through the SNAP’s contingency fund in November, and that any pause on federal funding is unlawful. But with the government still shutdown, the President had insisted that he would partially fund SNAP and there may be delays in people receiving benefits. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr433x9zqq4o

Twenty-five states, including Massachusetts, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over their plan to defer funding for SNAP benefits, with the claim that Congress appropriates contingency funding for SNAP at reduced rates if there is inadequate funding available.

SNAP benefits will be restarting, but recipients should expect to receive half of the normal payment, with the money being used from the USDA’s contingency fund. There is $5 billion in emergency funding for SNAP that is designated for times like these, but the Trump administration has been hesitant to use it despite court rulings ordering them to use it. https://www.npr.org/2025/11/03/nx-s1-5596121/snap-food-benefits-trump-government-shutdown

Many people have questions about the impact of SNAP benefits and the government shutdown and the court rulings that order SNAP be funded and issued. They are listed on the state’s website at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/november-2025-snap-updates

Teddy Gronostalski
Systems Change Advocate