The US Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration a temporary reprieve, extending a freeze on $4bn in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), which provides food aid to 42 million Americans. The administrative stay, issued on Tuesday, delays a lower court ruling that would have required the full distribution of benefits, leaving millions facing food insecurity in limbo until at least midnight on Thursday.
The funding pause comes amid the longest government shutdown in US history, with the House set to vote on a package to reopen the government. The administration insists that funds will only be released once Congress reaches a compromise. Solicitor General D John Sauer argued that the only way to end the crisis is for Congress to reopen the government.
The confusion has been compounded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) ordering states to 'immediately undo' any benefits already issued for November 2025, threatening penalties for non-compliance. This has sparked chaos, as states had already distributed funds believing they were authorised. A coalition of states has argued that clawing back hundreds of millions of dollars would cause catastrophic disruptions.
State officials have vowed to resist. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey stated, 'If President Trump wants to penalise states for preventing Americans from going hungry, we will see him in court.' Maryland Governor Wes Moore described the situation as 'intentional chaos,' noting four different guidance measures in six days.
With only half of November's benefits issued, food banks are under immense pressure, particularly as the Thanksgiving holidays approach. Stacy Smith, a government worker, said, 'It's hard to look someone in the face who's telling you they can't feed their family... We have community food banks, and they're already maxed out.' The uncertainty continues to deepen the hardship for millions reliant on this essential programme.
