A federal judge in Rhode Island has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund food stamp benefits for 42 million low-income Americans in November, rejecting a plan to provide only reduced aid during the government shutdown.
US District Judge John J McConnell Jr criticised the administration's plan to partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), stating it failed to comply with an earlier order. He highlighted the practical consequences, including long delays in payments and harm to individuals reliant on the benefits.
The judge gave the administration until Friday to make full payments, though recipients are unlikely to see the money immediately. He warned that without full funding, people would go hungry and food pantries would be overburdened.
The Trump administration had initially said it would not pay November benefits due to the shutdown, then offered partial funding after court orders. Some states, including New York, Oregon and Virginia, declared emergencies to provide temporary funds, but these were far below normal federal levels.
