Summary
A federal judge in Boston has given the USDA a deadline to respond to a coalition of states seeking emergency safeguards for SNAP benefits in November. The court cases in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will decide if the government must cover the full cost of SNAP during a shutdown and who is responsible for any errors. The judge in Rhode Island ruled that the USDA must provide full November SNAP benefits by November 7, 2025, and the Justice Department has appealed this decision.
Key Facts
- A federal judge in Boston set a deadline for the USDA to respond to states seeking SNAP benefits safeguards.
- The cases involve 25 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia.
- SNAP provides food aid to 42 million Americans.
- States are concerned that partial payments from the USDA could cause errors and delays.
- The court cases will determine if the federal government must fully fund SNAP during a shutdown.
- A Rhode Island judge ordered the USDA to make full SNAP payments by November 7, 2025.
- The ongoing government shutdown is the longest in U.S. history, lasting over 35 days.
- The Justice Department has appealed the Rhode Island court’s decision.
