Food Programs — News & Analysis

SNAP becomes a government shutdown battleground — for the first time in 61 years (November 7, 2025)

November 7, 2025 — The Supreme Court temporarily allowed the Trump administration to withhold approximately $4 billion in SNAP payments that a federal judge had ordered to be paid, capping weeks of unprecedented legal and political conflict over food benefits during the government shutdown that had begun October 1. It marked the first time in the program's 61-year history that SNAP benefits had lapsed during a federal shutdown.

Prior administrations had routinely drawn on a dedicated SNAP contingency fund during shutdowns. The Trump USDA reversed course on that practice weeks into the shutdown, notifying states on October 24 it was suspending all November benefit allotments. Lawsuits were filed by a coalition of states and community organizations; a Rhode Island federal judge ordered full payments made. The administration then sought and obtained a temporary Supreme Court pause of that order. A late-night Saturday USDA memo instructed states that had already issued full November payments to immediately "undo" those disbursements or face financial penalties.

By mid-November, when the shutdown ended and benefits resumed, families had already reported skipping meals and drawing down food reserves during the uncertainty. The episode drew widespread condemnation and raised serious questions about the administration's willingness to use food assistance as a political bargaining chip.