A Rhode Island federal judge mandated the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promptly distribute overdue payments to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. This ruling came just one day prior to a scheduled lapse in SNAP funding.
Judicial Order on SNAP Benefits
U.S. District Judge John McConnell declared that the USDA must utilize a contingency fund to ensure SNAP benefits are paid. McConnell emphasized that these funds are essential for the program’s operation, stating, “The six billion dollars in contingency funds are appropriated funds that are necessary to carry out the program.”
This ruling followed another judge’s decision deeming the Trump administration’s plan to halt SNAP payments on November 1 as unlawful. However, that ruling did not compel fund distribution.
Urgent Need for SNAP Funding
Judge McConnell warned of potential irreparable harm to families dependent on SNAP. He stressed that prioritizing the needs of food-insecure Americans must take precedence over any hypothetical future needs for the contingency funds.
“When compared to the millions who will go without food, the desire not to use funds due to a potential hurricane is outweighed,” he said. McConnell requested an update from the government regarding SNAP funding by Monday at noon.
Support for the Ruling
Democracy Forward, a legal advocacy group representing the plaintiffs, praised the decision. Skye Perryman, the group’s President and CEO, stated, “The court’s ruling protects millions of families…and upholds the principle that no one in America should go hungry.”
The plaintiffs included cities, nonprofit organizations, and various community groups in Rhode Island. They opposed using food security as a political leverage tool and committed to fighting for integrity in governance.
Ongoing Legal Developments
In a related case, a federal judge in Massachusetts, Indira Talwani, indicated the Agriculture Department may need to utilize emergency funds to maintain SNAP benefits amidst a government shutdown. The ruling confirmed the plaintiffs’ standing to sue and indicated that the suspension of benefits was potentially unlawful.
Talwani requested the administration provide a report regarding SNAP benefits by November 3, 2025. The lawsuit, led by several states, argued the USDA has a legal obligation to continue SNAP benefits as long as funding is available.
Context of the SNAP Funding Crisis
- Judge McConnell highlighted the significance of the contingency funds—$6 billion in total.
- Current beneficiaries of SNAP include up to 42 million Americans.
- Democratic leaders have taken legal action to ensure the availability of SNAP benefits during the shutdown.
- President Trump attributed the funding lapse to Senate Democrats, urging them to act.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the future of SNAP benefits for millions hangs in the balance, with crucial decisions forthcoming from the judiciary.
