Judge Orders USDA to Resume SNAP Payments amid Shutdown

In a Brooklyn apartment, teacher Aisha Johnson stares at an empty EBT card as she packs peanut butter and bread into her children’s lunch boxes. “I thought we’d make it to Thanksgiving,” she whispers. “But with SNAP cut off, it’s back to pantry lines.”

Her hope reignited October 31, when two federal judges issued rulings that could force the USDA to restore SNAP payments by using emergency reserve funds. The decisions come on day 35 of the shutdown and may prevent further disruption for 42 million beneficiaries.

In Rhode Island, Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the USDA to tap contingency funds, about $5.25 billion, to resume benefits. He called the suspension “arbitrary” and set tight deadlines for action.
His order cited statutory language allowing benefit release under “unforeseen circumstances.” 

Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, Judge Indira Talwani ruled that refusing SNAP payments without clear justification likely violated existing law. She demanded that USDA present a plan for restoring payments quickly. 

Supporters hailed the rulings as a reprieve: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called them a “lifeline for vulnerable Americans.”
Yet USDA vowed to appeal, labeling the orders “activist overreach.” White House spokespeople faulted Congress for failing to pass a spending bill.

Even if funds are released, states must re-enable complex systems, reload EBT cards, and manage backlogs. Many already launched emergency food measures to bridge gaps. 

Johnson once relied on $450 in monthly SNAP. With that paused, she and many others must stretch remaining savings or ration food, often slicing meals for children.

In Kansas, food banks report demand doubling; lines stretch blocks. Stores say essentials vanish by midday. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates a 20–30% spike in food insecurity, risking harm to children and seniors alike. 

State–By–State Impact (Post-Ruling Snapshot)

(Numbers from state SNAP / DSS / USDA reports.)

The coming days will determine whether the USDA fully complies with the court’s orders or seeks temporary delays through appeal. Federal agencies are expected to report back to both courts with an implementation plan outlining how and when benefits will be restored. States, in turn, will monitor the rollout closely, addressing payment delays and ensuring households receive retroactive aid.

Meanwhile, Congress faces renewed pressure to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to restore long-term funding and prevent another disruption. Without legislative action, future benefits remain vulnerable to political gridlock. For families like Johnson’s, however, the immediate concern is simple: food on the table.

As the teacher put it, “This ruling means we can breathe again, at least for now. But we can’t live waiting for the next shutdown.”

Sources:
All statements verified via AP News, Reuters, Politico, CBPP, and public court orders as of November 3, 2025.