US Supreme Court Permits Temporary Pause on Full SNAP Food Benefits
In a late-night decision, the US Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to temporarily stop full payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. This ruling affects millions of low-income families who rely on these benefits for groceries and basic meals.
The decision came on Friday evening when Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an emergency order. It blocks a lower federal court’s requirement for the government to release all pending SNAP funds by the end of the day. The lower court had stepped in after the administration tried to withhold billions in benefits, possibly tied to ongoing budget disputes.
SNAP helps about 42 million Americans buy food each month. Without full funding, states may delay or cut benefits, leaving families in a tough spot during the holiday season. Officials in places like Michigan have already paused November payments until courts or the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) say otherwise.
The pause is not permanent. It gives the administration time to appeal to a higher appeals court, the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Legal experts say this could lead to more fights over how the government handles aid programs during funding shortfalls.
Groups like Feeding America warn that any delay in SNAP payments could increase hunger rates. They urge quick action to protect vulnerable households, including children and seniors. The USDA has not yet commented on next steps, but the ruling highlights growing tensions over federal spending.
This Supreme Court SNAP ruling underscores the role of the judiciary in food security debates. As appeals continue, families wait for clarity on when their benefits will flow again.
