The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Trump administration’s emergency request to pause a lower court order that required full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments during the ongoing government shutdown.
The lower court had ruled that the administration must use reserve funds to fully cover November’s benefits. However, Trump officials argued they could only issue partial payments, citing limited available funds.
Shortly after the ruling, President Trump stated on Truth Social that his administration would not comply with the order to release full benefits until the shutdown ends.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary hold late Friday, halting full payments while an appeals court reviews whether the federal government is obligated to fully distribute SNAP benefits or may continue limiting them.
According to the Associated Press, the decision affects millions of Americans — roughly one in eight people — who rely on SNAP, most from low-income households.
While some states had already disbursed full November benefits, others may now have to delay payments as the legal battle continues.
