Two federal judges on Friday said the Trump administration must tap into contingency funds to make payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the government shutdown, ruling against the government in a pair of suits over the imminent benefits lapse.

A federal judge says the Trump administration has until "no later than Monday" to consider whether to pay at least partial SNAP food benefits to 42 million low-income people.

They also said cutting off the benefits would “cause deterioration of public health and well-being” of recipients, and that those costs would be borne by the states.

More than 41 million families who rely on the food stamp benefits will be left without the financial assistance due to a lapse in federal funding caused by the shutdown.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson quickly stepped in to correct a cabinet member and create an awkward scene over who is to blame for the government shutdown and SNAP food benefits going unpaid.

SNAP benefit payments for November 2025 might be back on schedule despite the shutdown. The big picture: Millions of people expected to see their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) delayed for November due to the government shutdown.

Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a "food emergency" in New York, allowing for extra emergency funds and personnel to be deployed as SNAP payments will be suspended nationwide starting due to the federal gov...