A federal judge in Rhode Island on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to fully restore food stamp benefits for tens of millions of Americans this month, ruling that the government’s decision to halt payments during the ongoing shutdown was unlawful and “simply unacceptable.”
“People have gone without for too long,” said U.S. District Judge John McConnell during an emergency hearing. “Not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable.”
The ruling affects nearly 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had earlier taken the unprecedented step of suspending November benefits, citing a lack of funding caused by the protracted federal shutdown.
Judge McConnell’s order came just days after the administration announced plans to issue only partial SNAP payments this month by drawing from a $4.65 billion contingency fund. The judge criticized the move, saying the government had failed to act quickly enough to ensure full payments and had acted “arbitrarily and capriciously.”
Despite the ruling, officials warned that many recipients may not receive their benefits immediately. Each state must first transmit updated enrollee information to vendors responsible for loading funds onto benefit cards—a process that can take several days.
The decision adds pressure on the administration as the shutdown enters another week, disrupting federal programs and leaving millions uncertain about essential support.
McConnell’s ruling orders the USDA to release sufficient funds to cover 100% of November’s SNAP benefits and to work with states “without delay” to restore payments.
