People in various U.S. states are set to purchase groceries with federally funded SNAP benefits starting Saturday, while others continue to await delayed payments for November, impacted by ongoing legal disputes stemming from the federal government shutdown.
Initially, the Trump administration indicated that SNAP benefits would not be funded for November due to the shutdown, causing widespread uncertainty for the nearly 42 million Americans who depend on these monthly payments for groceries.
On Friday, following a federal judge's order, certain states began issuing their full monthly SNAP benefits, although this became complicated later when Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily paused the court order to allow for further legal review.
Around 42 million Americans, most below the poverty line with an income of about $32,000 for a family of four, rely on SNAP benefits, which can average nearly $300 per month for individuals and nearly $1,000 for families. The recent delays have led to increased demand at food banks, causing longer lines for food assistance as some states have stepped in with emergency funding.
States like Hawaii, Oregon, and Wisconsin acted quickly to fulfill orders for full benefits while California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington also confirmed payments were issued as of Friday. Washington officials reported that over 250,000 households benefited from the payments, although future distributions are still uncertain due to pending appeals.
Despite efforts, many states such as Colorado and Massachusetts expect full benefits to potentially be available this weekend, although ongoing legal challenges may affect timelines. The Trump administration argued in a recent Supreme Court filing that there is no immediate way to recover funds already disbursed.
The legal complexity surrounding SNAP funding continues to evolve, with pressure mounting for an efficient resolution as millions await vital support.
Initially, the Trump administration indicated that SNAP benefits would not be funded for November due to the shutdown, causing widespread uncertainty for the nearly 42 million Americans who depend on these monthly payments for groceries.
On Friday, following a federal judge's order, certain states began issuing their full monthly SNAP benefits, although this became complicated later when Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily paused the court order to allow for further legal review.
Around 42 million Americans, most below the poverty line with an income of about $32,000 for a family of four, rely on SNAP benefits, which can average nearly $300 per month for individuals and nearly $1,000 for families. The recent delays have led to increased demand at food banks, causing longer lines for food assistance as some states have stepped in with emergency funding.
States like Hawaii, Oregon, and Wisconsin acted quickly to fulfill orders for full benefits while California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington also confirmed payments were issued as of Friday. Washington officials reported that over 250,000 households benefited from the payments, although future distributions are still uncertain due to pending appeals.
Despite efforts, many states such as Colorado and Massachusetts expect full benefits to potentially be available this weekend, although ongoing legal challenges may affect timelines. The Trump administration argued in a recent Supreme Court filing that there is no immediate way to recover funds already disbursed.
The legal complexity surrounding SNAP funding continues to evolve, with pressure mounting for an efficient resolution as millions await vital support.
