In an abrupt move late Friday, a U.S. Supreme Court justice intervened to pause a ruling requiring the federal government to fully fund SNAP benefits for November by end of day. The stay gives the First Circuit Court of Appeals time to deliberate, amid growing urgency for beneficiaries in several states already receiving payments.
Order Paused as Appeals Court Weighs Case
The justice, assigned to emergency matters for the First Circuit, granted a temporary stay of the district court’s order on the condition that the appellate court issue a ruling. Prior to this, the appeals court rejected the administration’s request for an administrative stay—the administration then appealed to the high court.
Funding Battle Between SNAP and WIC Programs
The crux of the conflict is whether the government must tap some $4 billion from the 1935 Agricultural Adjustment Act to secure full SNAP funding now. The administration argues that those funds are needed for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and that using them for SNAP would divert support, effectively “starving Peter to feed Paul.”Meanwhile, plaintiffs contend that sufficient funds exist and the delay in SNAP payments already places millions at risk.
States Move Ahead With Service While Legal Battle Unfolds
Despite the shutdown and litigation, at least nine states began issuing full November SNAP benefits, acting on guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).For example, Kansas and Wisconsin reported distributing tens of millions in benefits to hundreds of thousands of households. The district judge criticized the administration for withholding benefits “for political reasons,” and emphasized that further delays were unacceptable.
