On November 7, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency order that prevents the Trump administration from fully funding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's decision pauses a ruling from U.S. District Judge John McConnell, which had mandated that the administration cover full benefits for tens of millions of Americans. This legal development raises concerns about the food security of nearly 42 million individuals who rely on SNAP for nutritional support.

The Trump administration's emergency appeal to the Supreme Court followed a similar request made to a federal appeals court earlier that day. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had indicated its intention to comply with the lower court's ruling, which had been issued just a day prior. However, the appeals court declined to temporarily halt the payments while it reviewed the case, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the distribution of food benefits.

In its appeal, the administration described the funding lapse as a crisis, attributing it to congressional inaction. U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer characterized the district court's ruling as untenable. The legal dispute over food stamp benefits has become a focal point of contention amid the ongoing government shutdown, affecting millions who depend on these benefits.

Prior to the Supreme Court's intervention, several states had begun issuing full SNAP payments, leading to complications. For instance, Wisconsin's request for full benefits was rejected by the USDA, resulting in a $20 million overdraft. Kansas also issued full benefits to approximately 86,000 households, further complicating the funding situation. Governors from various states, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York, announced that residents would begin receiving their full SNAP benefits shortly, despite the ongoing legal uncertainties.

The SNAP program has faced significant disruptions since last month, when officials indicated that payments would be delayed due to the government shutdown. This situation has highlighted the challenges faced by vulnerable populations during periods of governmental impasse, raising questions about the adequacy of support systems in place for those in need.

In related developments, Maine's Governor Janet Mills directed the state's Department of Health and Human Services to issue full SNAP benefits for the month, following a federal court order that required the USDA to release contingency funding amid the ongoing government shutdown. Mills criticized the previous withholding of SNAP contingency funding as a "wrong and callous decision" that should not have required judicial intervention to rectify. Approximately 170,000 residents of Maine depend on SNAP benefits for their nutritional needs.

The ongoing government shutdown has adversely affected the SNAP program, which serves approximately 42 million low-income Americans. This situation underscores the need for reform and accountability within the program, as it faces scrutiny over its management and funding amid political disputes.