Federal judges block Trump’s attempt to halt SNAP, protecting food assistance for millions of school children

Two federal judges on Friday halted the Trump administration’s attempt to suspend food stamp benefits beginning November 1, a move that threatened to leave millions without help during an extended government shutdown.

The court decisions offered a temporary safeguard for the 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including 16 million children whose ability to focus and succeed in school is directly tied to whether they have enough to eat at home. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the country’s largest effort to prevent hunger, helping Americans, including millions of school children, afford groceries each month.

Benefits are provided through EBT cards that work like debit cards and can be used at grocery stores and other approved retailers. The program is designed to stabilise families during financial strain and ensure children, seniors, and people with disabilities have consistent access to food. While the assistance is modest, SNAP remains a critical support system that keeps many households from going hungry. Any disruption, experts say, risks an immediate rise in hunger that will show up first in schools and local food banks.

Judges say USDA must continue benefits

In Rhode Island, U.S. District Judge John McConnell ordered the Department of Agriculture to use contingency funding so SNAP benefits can be issued without breaking continuity. He noted that the federal government has used similar funds in previous shutdowns, saying to The 74 that “SNAP benefits have never, until now, been terminated” and pointing to the 2019 shutdown as precedent.Another ruling from US District Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts reached the same conclusion and gave the administration a deadline to confirm how quickly it would restore payments.

Families could still experience gaps

Even with legal pressure to resume payments, some states were told weeks ago to stop sending essential eligibility updates to EBT processors. That pause in data flow could mean cards simply do not reload on schedule for many households who receive support at the beginning of the month.Advocacy groups say the government’s timing created a situation where relief orders may arrive too late to keep all families fed. Schools in lower-income areas expect more children to show up hungry and distracted, especially on Monday mornings after a weekend without consistent meals.

States and local groups step in

With uncertainty growing, more than 20 states and Washington, D.C. took legal action against the USDA. States like New York have already announced emergency funding. Governor Kathy Hochul committed 65 million dollars to food banks and emergency providers to handle increased demand.Local nonprofit partners are also responding. In Seattle, the Alliance for Education set aside 150,000 dollars for grocery store gift cards, to be distributed by school staff to families who are struggling. “We are fully aware it’s not a long-term solution, but we needed to do something,” spokesperson Ian Coon told The 74.Meanwhile, national hunger advocates are bracing for added strain. Carolyn Vega of Share Our Strength, speaking with The 74, emphasized the urgency: “Kids can’t wait. Families have to eat every single day.”

Children are the most vulnerable

According to USDA figures from fiscal year 2023:

That means even a short lapse can translate into an immediate crisis in homes where budgets already stretch to cover basic groceries.

Awaiting federal action

The USDA has not clarified whether it will appeal the rulings or how quickly states will be allowed to resume data transfers that reload benefits cards. Officials have instead issued statements blaming political opponents for the shutdown.For now, schools, food pantries and state officials remain on high alert. Although the courts have stepped in, the race to get benefits into accounts before refrigerators go empty continues.