Supreme Court Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson, a Miami native, temporarily blocked a lower court order requiring the Trump administration to fully fund food stamp benefits during the government shutdown, adding uncertainty to millions of families who depend on the program.
Some states, including California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, began sending out November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments before the high court stepped in. However, the U.S. The Department of Agriculture now says those payments were “unauthorized,” warning states to undo them or face penalties.
The ruling came after a Rhode Island judge ordered the administration to use available funds to keep the program running through November. Advocacy groups argued the government could tap into reserve funds specifically designed for SNAP benefits.
The White House quickly appealed, insisting only Congress has the authority to appropriate new money.
“In the midst of a shutdown, we can’t have a federal court telling the president how to triage the situation,” said Vice President JD Vance.
Brown Jackson issued the stay over the weekend, pausing the payments until the First Circuit Court of Appeals decides whether the administration must comply with the Rhode Island ruling.
SNAP serves about one in eight Americans and nearly 40% of its recipients are children and low income families. The average monthly benefit for a family of four is roughly $660.
In Washington, food banks have been feeling the strain.
Abby Fenton, chief advancement officer at the Capital Area Food Bank, said food insecurity was high even before the shutdown.
“Thirty-six percent of those in our service area are experiencing some level of food insecurity,” said Fenton. “That’s about 1.5 million households.”
Those numbers could rise if benefits are delayed again.
Many state officials say they’ve received four different directives from the federal government in less than a week, leaving them unsure what to do next.
A decision from the appeals court could come soon.
