Supreme Court Delays Full SNAP Benefits Amid Shutdown Negotiations

The Supreme Court extended an administrative stay on Tuesday regarding an order that required the Trump administration to immediately complete payments of full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November 2025. This decision, made despite the sole dissent of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, maintains the current situation as Congress approaches an agreement to end the ongoing government shutdown and secure full funding for SNAP through the end of the fiscal year.

The court did not provide an explanation for its decision. Justice Jackson indicated a preference to deny the Trump administration’s request and insisted on the immediate disbursement of full November SNAP benefits while Congress deliberates on the issue. Her stay was granted on Friday following the government’s appeal to pause the order until the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could review the case. The appeals court subsequently denied the administration’s appeal on Sunday.

Solicitor General John Sauer articulated the urgency of the situation, stating that the order required the government to transfer an estimated $4 billion by the end of the day. “Given the imminent, irreparable harms posed by these orders,” Sauer requested an immediate administrative stay pending resolution of the matter.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a directive that instructed states to “undo” the issuance of full SNAP benefits. This came after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) informed states to immediately halt any actions taken to issue the full benefits for November 2025.

Initially, the USDA had indicated on Friday that it was “working towards implementing November 2025 full benefit issuances” following a previous order from U.S. District Judge McConnell that mandated full funding for SNAP. The administration had proposed to partially fund SNAP with approximately $4.5 billion but argued that it needed additional funds to support WIC programs, which provide nutrition assistance to women and children.

As a result of the USDA’s earlier guidance, twenty states began the process of issuing full benefits for November. During Monday’s hearing, Judge Talwani remarked on the confusion stemming from the agency’s conflicting directives, stating, “What you have right now is confusion of the agency’s own making.”

This situation continues to develop as Congress works to finalize a resolution to the government shutdown, which has significant implications for funding essential programs like SNAP. The ongoing discussions in Washington will likely influence the final outcome of SNAP benefits for millions of Americans who rely on this crucial assistance.