Judge Weighs Emergency Funds for SNAP Amid Government Shutdown

A federal judge in Boston declared on Thursday that she plans to compel the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to utilize emergency funds to partially cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani remarked in court that the government must develop “a fair way to reduce benefits” as the ongoing government shutdown progresses. She is expected to deliver her ruling later the same day.

“If we lack the funds, we have no alternative but to cease operations,” said Talwani, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. “This is a political game, and I won’t allow everyone to suffer for it.”

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday by Democratic officials from 25 states and Washington, D.C., contends that the USDA’s planned suspension of SNAP benefits, set for Saturday, is unlawful.

As the deadline approaches, states across the nation are raising concerns over looming defunding. Although the USDA provides SNAP funds monthly, each state manages its own program independently.

Last week, the USDA announced it would not allocate over $5 billion in emergency funds for November benefits, anticipated to total around $9.2 billion. A memo from the department indicated that access to these funds is restricted to unforeseen circumstances, like natural disasters.

In a prior plan that has since been removed, the USDA mentioned on September 30 that Congress requires it to tap into reserves due to funding shortages.

The Massachusetts lawsuit is urging the court to mandate that the department use emergency funds, referencing the USDA’s authority granted by Congress to support that program and SNAP.

The report argues that the USDA’s decision could drastically erode trust between SNAP recipients and states, potentially shifting significant costs to states, local governments, and food banks. It also highlights the risk of food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition.

Judge Talwani noted that the USDA could access an extra $23 billion in funding, which it has previously done to support special nutrition programs for women, infants, and children during shutdowns.

Approximately 41.7 million Americans received SNAP benefits in the fiscal year 2024, according to USDA data. The federal expenditure on the program reached $99.8 billion, averaging about $187.20 per month for each recipient during that time.