Trump administration asks court to halt full SNAP payments during US shutdown

“This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers. Courts hold neither the power to appropriate nor the power to spend,” the US Department of Justice said in its filing, according to AP.

Federal Judge John J. McConnell Jr. had ordered the administration on Thursday to make the full November payments, rejecting an earlier plan to cover only 65% of the benefits.

Uncertainty for millions relying on SNAP

The dispute has left about one in eight Americans roughly 40 million people uncertain about their food support. SNAP provides a monthly maximum of nearly $300 for an individual and about $1,000 for a family of four, though actual amounts depend on income.

The government shutdown had originally halted SNAP payments for November, but two court rulings last week required the administration to use an emergency reserve of $4.6 billion and other available funds to cover the cost of between $8.5 billion and $9 billion in benefits.

However, the Trump administration said it would not draw from other funds, arguing that Congress must approve additional spending and that remaining reserves are needed for child nutrition programmes.

States move ahead with partial or full payments

Despite the legal uncertainty, some US states began distributing payments. In Wisconsin, officials confirmed that some recipients received their full benefits overnight.

“We’ve received confirmation that payments went through, including members reporting they can now see their balances,” said Britt Cudaback, spokesperson for Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, according to AP.

Other states took different approaches. Michigan said it had directed vendors to issue full SNAP benefits as soon as federal funds arrive. North Carolina, Illinois, and North Dakota reported starting partial November payments, following earlier federal guidance.

In Missouri, state officials said they were awaiting new instructions from the US Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP.

Meanwhile, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, a Republican, said families would not go hungry despite the pause in payments. “Nobody’s going to go hungry,” Pillen said. “We’re going to do what we used to do. We knew who needed help. We helped each other,” he added, as quoted by AP.