The future of food benefits for roughly 42 million low-income Americans remains in limbo as a government shutdown and competing court rulings collide, putting one of the United States’ most critical safety-net programs – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – at risk.
The Biden administration has repeatedly insisted that Congress must act to provide adequate funding and end the shutdown, while multiple courts across the country continue to hear emergency legal challenges filed by advocacy organizations, Democratic-led cities and states, and civil rights groups seeking to keep full SNAP payments flowing.
Court orders and reversals spark confusion for states
Late last week, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release roughly $4 billion to fully cover SNAP benefits for November. The USDA initially told states it would comply.
But within hours, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily blocked that order, and the USDA directed states to reverse efforts to issue full benefits or risk penalties. That ruling triggered immediate concern because some states had already begun distributing full benefits, sometimes using state funds to cover the difference.
North Carolina officials, for example, reported that they had issued partial payments and were ready to release the remaining portion over the weekend—until the federal reversal forced them to stop.
By Monday, another federal judge in Boston placed a temporary block on USDA’s “undo” order to the states, adding yet another layer to the legal chaos. A hearing was set for later that day.
Impact on families and food banks intensifies
For millions of families living at or below 130% of the federal poverty line, SNAP is essential for survival. The maximum federal monthly benefit this fiscal year amounts to $298 for a single person and $546 for a household of two. With benefits uncertain, many recipients are already turning to food pantries, churches, schools, and community centers—many of which report that donations and volunteer food supplies are being stretched dangerously thin.
Some families are reportedly skipping medications, delaying utility payments, and limiting meals to preserve funds.
Courts question administration’s preparation
The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals sharply criticized the administration’s argument that the courts cannot force it to fund full benefits during a shutdown—suggesting the government failed to act decisively despite clear warnings as funding deadlines approached.
Circuit Judge Julie Rikelman wrote that siding with the administration would have resulted in “widespread harm,” effectively leaving tens of millions “without food as winter approaches.”
The White House and USDA have declined to comment publicly as the legal fight continues.
Meanwhile, the Senate is attempting to advance a legislative solution to end the shutdown—but any measure would still require agreement from the House and the President, a process that could take days or longer.
Until then, tens of millions of low-income households remain uncertain about whether they will have enough to eat next month.
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Nigerian Minister of State in charge of Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, wanted in an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.
EFCC Declares Former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Wanted For $14 Million ‘Scam’
Source:Africa Publicity
