Appeals Court Upholds Order for Full SNAP Payments Amid Shutdown

A federal appeals court has upheld a judge's order requiring the Trump administration to fully fund November's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 42 million Americans during the ongoing government shutdown. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the administration's appeal, affirming that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must reallocate $4 billion from child nutrition funds to ensure full SNAP payments, despite concerns that the money was designated for other uses.

The decision maintains a lower court's mandate by Judge John McConnell, who ruled that the administration's plan to reduce or suspend benefits violated its obligations during the shutdown. However, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary hold, leaving the program's status uncertain.

The administration had blamed Congress for the funding shortfall and warned states to reverse any advance SNAP payments or face penalties. The appeals court emphasized that the ruling was necessary to prevent harm, as withholding aid would leave millions without food as winter sets in. The USDA's contingency planning had only covered partial SNAP payments. A final resolution awaits further judicial and legislative actions as the shutdown entered its 41st day.