Summary
A federal judge temporarily stopped the Trump administration from stopping Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the government shutdown. Over 40 million low-income Americans rely on SNAP, which gives money for food. The judge ruled the plan to halt the program was likely against the law.
Key Facts
- A Rhode Island federal judge issued a temporary order to block the administration's plan.
- SNAP benefits help more than 40 million low-income Americans buy food.
- The SNAP program gives people cards to buy groceries, with a typical family of four receiving about $715 a month.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture said they couldn't distribute funds in November due to the shutdown.
- States use federal money to manage SNAP, but the government has been shut down since October 1st.
- Some states plan to use their funds to cover shortages, but they might not get reimbursed.
- Half of the U.S. states sued the administration, asking to use emergency funds for SNAP.
- A Massachusetts judge told the administration to use a $6 billion emergency fund for the program.
