The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ordered states to reverse their distribution of full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to a recent court ruling. This directive comes after a federal judge temporarily halted the payments following a lawsuit related to food assistance funding.
USDA’s Directive on SNAP Benefits
On Saturday, Patrick A. Penn, the Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, stated that states which issued the full November benefits must “immediately undo” these transactions. The USDA emphasized that any full payments sent to SNAP recipients were unauthorized.
- Deadline for Compliance: States are required to reverse any actions related to November 2025 SNAP benefits immediately.
- Consequences for Noncompliance: States failing to comply may face penalties, including the cancellation of federal administrative funds and liability for overissuances.
Legal Context Surrounding SNAP Payments
The USDA’s instruction follows a complicated legal landscape affecting SNAP benefits amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. Initially, the USDA had communicated the availability of full benefits prior to the Supreme Court’s intervention.
- October Benefits: SNAP benefits were allocated for October despite the shutdown.
- November Funds: A message from the USDA indicated that due to the shutdown, SNAP benefits would not be available for November.
State Reactions to USDA’s Memorandum
In response to the USDA’s memo, several state officials reacted strongly. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey urged residents to continue using their benefits, threatening legal action against the Trump administration if necessary.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers rejected the USDA’s demands outright, asserting that his administration was actively challenging attempts to limit food assistance in the courts.
- Governor Healey’s Position: “These funds were processed according to guidance from the Trump administration,” she stated.
- Governor Evers’ Stance: He indicated that he would not comply with the USDA’s request.
Current Status and Implications
The ruling and subsequent USDA directive have left many questions unanswered about how states will address the reversals and manage the impact on recipients. With so many Americans relying on SNAP benefits, the situation remains urgent and complex as legal battles continue.
The USDA’s recent steps reveal the challenges in administering food assistance programs amid political and operational hurdles. As the effects of these decisions unfold, millions of Americans’ access to essential food resources hangs in the balance.
