A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s effort to avoid paying full SNAP benefits for November. However, the ruling is temporarily on hold due to a prior order from Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The decision impacts millions of Americans relying on government food assistance.
The unanimous three-judge panel of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals refused to block a district court order issued by Rhode Island-based Judge John McConnell Jr. McConnell directed the administration to provide full SNAP funding after partial payments failed to reach recipients.
Judge Julie Rikelman wrote that blocking the payments would cause “immense” harm to the 42 million Americans who depend on SNAP assistance, including 14 million children. She warned of hunger and other predictable financial and health risks. Judges Gustavo Gelpí and Chief Judge David Barron joined her opinion.
Despite the appeals court action, full payments remain paused after Justice Jackson issued a temporary order Friday. The order allows officials to delay funding for 48 hours while the Supreme Court considers a longer stay.
Meanwhile, tensions have grown between Democratic-led states and the Trump administration. Some states distributed full benefits after McConnell’s order, but the administration claimed these actions were unauthorized and directed states to reverse them.
The dispute over SNAP benefits coincides with a federal government shutdown that disrupted funding for multiple programs. On Sunday, the Senate voted to advance legislation that could reopen the government and secure continued payments for SNAP recipients.
Analysts note that the outcome of this court case will affect millions of vulnerable Americans. Delays in benefits create immediate hardships, especially for households depending on federal food assistance.
Looking ahead, courts and officials will continue reviewing the matter. Observers expect further judicial clarification before states resume full payments. The case highlights the intersection of federal policy, legal authority, and social welfare programs.
Ultimately, the ruling underscores the importance of timely SNAP benefits for low-income Americans, particularly during economic uncertainty and seasonal challenges.
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