Supreme court to decide whether full SNAP food benefits can restart

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule Tuesday on whether states may resume issuing full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, as millions of Americans struggle with reduced or delayed food assistance during the ongoing government shutdown.

SNAP normally provides grocery support to roughly 42 million people. But with federal funding halted after October, states have been left to manage benefits on their own. This inconsistency has left households confused and increasingly distressed as they attempt to budget for basic food needs.

The legal dispute stems from conflicting lower court rulings. Early decisions required the government to continue partial SNAP funding, while a later ruling ordered full benefit distribution for November. The Trump administration appealed, arguing that maintaining full payments would drain limited emergency reserves. The Supreme Court temporarily halted the full-funding order and is now tasked with determining whether that pause should remain in place.

Government attorneys maintain that only Congress has the authority to resolve the funding crisis, writing, “The only way to end this crisis is for Congress to reopen the government.

The Senate on Monday approved a bill to reopen the government, including funding to restore SNAP. The legislation now moves to the House. President Trump has not committed to signing the bill, though he has suggested progress in negotiations. Even if the bill is approved, it is unclear how quickly states would be able to resume normal benefit distribution.

For many families, the consequences are immediate and severe.
Jim Malliard, 41, of Pennsylvania, who cares for his disabled wife and daughter, typically receives about $350 per month in SNAP assistance. He has received nothing for November. With only $10 left, he says his family is living on rice and instant noodles.

“To say anxiety has been my issue for the past two weeks is putting it mildly,” he said.

The Supreme Court’s ruling could determine whether full SNAP assistance resumes in the short term. Ultimately, however, the situation may remain unresolved unless Congress acts to end the shutdown and restore federal funding.