Federal Judges Order Trump Administration to Use Emergency Funds to Continue SNAP Benefits Amid Prolonged Government Shutdown
October 31, 2025 – Two federal judges have issued rulings compelling the Trump administration to use emergency contingency funds to continue payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), ensuring crucial food aid to over 42 million low-income Americans despite the ongoing government shutdown.
The rulings came just days before SNAP payments, which help provide groceries for roughly 1 in 8 Americans, were set to be halted starting November 1 due to the Department of Agriculture’s announcement that it could no longer fund the program amid the record-length federal shutdown.
Judicial Orders and Their Impact
U.S. District Judges John J. McConnell Jr. from Rhode Island and Indira Talwani from Massachusetts issued nearly simultaneous orders on October 31, 2025. Judge McConnell granted a temporary restraining order compelling immediate distribution of SNAP aid from the emergency reserve funds, emphasizing that halting payments would not only harm millions of individuals and families but also local economies that rely on that spending. He further mandated the administration to submit a compliance plan or update by noon on the following Monday.
Judge Talwani in Boston ruled that the administration must decide by Monday whether to resume at least partial SNAP benefits, though she declined to issue an immediate temporary restraining order. She reasoned that allowing the administration until Monday to act would still prevent irreparable harm to SNAP recipients, signaling a shared judicial consensus on the program’s continuity but leaving some operational timing uncertain.
Context and Controversy
The USDA had previously announced plans to freeze SNAP payments because its emergency contingency funding, totaling approximately $5.3 billion, was designated specifically for use during government shutdowns but was not initially being accessed by the administration. The Trump administration’s decision sparked legal challenges from at least 25 states, led by attorneys general and governors who argued that the government has a legal obligation to continue funding food assistance even during funding gaps.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, noted that these judicial decisions affirm criticisms from Democrats that the administration is “choosing not to feed Americans in need, despite knowing that it is legally required to do so.” This highlights the contentious political backdrop amid which these emergency rulings were issued.
Practical Challenges Ahead
Although the court orders authorize the use of emergency funds to cover SNAP benefits, the timing and extent of resumed payments remain uncertain. Many beneficiaries, whose electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards are usually reloaded early in each month, may face delays as state agencies work to process the influx of funding and distribute aid after the court rulings.
Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson praised the judges’ rulings as a “big victory,” affirming his administration’s readiness to promptly distribute benefits once federal funds are released.
Significance Amid Government Shutdown
This judicial intervention is particularly notable as the Senate has adjourned and is not available to vote on pending continuing resolution packages aimed at reopening government funding. The shutdown has become the longest in U.S. history, creating a cascade of disruptions for various federally funded programs.
SNAP represents the nation’s largest food assistance program, costing roughly $8 billion monthly and providing essential support to millions at risk of food insecurity. The reluctance or delay in accessing contingency funds exacerbated fears of widespread hunger and economic strain during the impasse.
Next Steps
The Trump administration now faces legal and logistical pressure to comply with the court orders and begin disbursing emergency funds to maintain SNAP benefits without interruption. However, uncertainty remains about whether full or partial payments will resume immediately or if further legal challenges will delay relief.
At this stage, the administration is expected to provide updates or plans to enforce the court rulings by the stated Monday deadline, with millions of SNAP recipients anxiously awaiting confirmation and continuation of their food aid.
This series of rulings underscores the critical balance courts play in safeguarding federally mandated social programs amid political and budgetary crises.