Federal Judge Orders Immediate Release of SNAP Contingency Funds During Shutdown

A federal court in Rhode Island has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to tap contingency reserves so that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can be disbursed on 1 November, despite the ongoing partial government shutdown.

U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued the ruling after an emergency hearing lasting roughly one hour on 31 October 2025. The order requires the administration to release the emergency money “timely, or as soon as possible,” and to report back to the court by Monday with a detailed plan for funding the benefits.

The decision came one day before the USDA had planned to freeze benefit payments. According to agency data, SNAP needs about $8.6 billion each month to provide food assistance to nearly 41 million Americans. Without action, benefits would have lapsed at the start of November, a prospect Judge McConnell said would create “irreparable harm” for households dependent on the program.

Rationale for the ruling

Judge McConnell found that suspending payments violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) because the decision was “arbitrary and capricious.” In court, he noted the absence of any explanation—consistent with the APA—for declining to use contingency funds that are specifically appropriated for emergencies.

“There has been no explanation, legitimate or otherwise, that’s consistent with the APA as to why the contingency funds should not be used,” the judge said from the bench. He added that the uncertainty had already triggered fear among families unsure how they would purchase food in the coming days.

Broader legal challenges

The Rhode Island case is part of a flurry of litigation filed after the USDA announced on 26 October that November benefits would not be issued. A coalition comprising local governments, nonprofit groups, small businesses, and workers’ organizations sued on 30 October, claiming the administration had “needlessly plunged SNAP into crisis” even though emergency funds were available.

Plaintiffs argued that halting payments would leave families unable to buy groceries, overwhelm food pantries, and reduce revenue for retailers that accept SNAP. They sought immediate injunctive relief to compel the release of contingency money until Congress appropriates new funds.

In a separate lawsuit in Massachusetts, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani ruled on the same day that the proposed suspension of benefits is unlawful but stopped short of issuing a temporary restraining order. Instead, she directed the administration to inform her court by 3 November whether it will authorize at least reduced benefits for the month.

Implementation uncertainties

Although Judge McConnell’s order is effective immediately, it remains unclear how quickly the USDA can distribute the funds. State agencies, which handle electronic benefit transfers, normally require several days to load accounts. Administration attorneys did not specify during the hearing whether technical or administrative hurdles could delay the process.

Imagem: Internet

The Trump administration is expected to appeal both Friday rulings. An appeal could seek a stay, potentially complicating the timeline for delivering benefits. Legal experts point out that appellate courts weigh the likelihood of success on the merits against potential harm to affected parties when considering such requests.

SNAP’s role during economic stress

SNAP is the nation’s largest nutrition assistance program, offering monthly benefits that average about $230 per household. The program has served as a key stabilizer during economic downturns, expanding automatically as more people qualify. The non-partisan Congressional Research Service notes that participation historically increases during periods of high unemployment and declines when the economy improves.

Under the current shutdown—now in its 31st day—other federal services have also been curtailed, but SNAP is one of the few with a direct and immediate impact on household food security. Advocacy organizations warn that prolonged uncertainty could push more families to rely on charitable food banks, which have limited capacity.

Next steps

Judge McConnell instructed government lawyers to submit a written status update by 4 November explaining how contingency funds will cover November benefits and how long those resources can sustain the program. He indicated that further hearings may be scheduled if the court is not satisfied with the administration’s plan.

While the ruling offers short-term relief, long-term funding for SNAP hinges on congressional action to end the shutdown or pass a stopgap spending measure. Negotiations on Capitol Hill remained stalled as of Friday afternoon, with no agreement in sight.

Crédito da imagem: J. Scott Applewhite / AP