BOSTON (AP) — Amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, President Donald Trump’s administration has taken legal action to block a judge’s order requiring the distribution of full monthly SNAP benefits for November. The request was made to a federal appeals court just as some states are already moving forward with disbursements to hungry families in need.
U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. had ordered the administration to ensure that SNAP recipients received their full November benefits, which are crucial for those facing food insecurity. In response, the administration contended that it cannot disburse more money than what is allotted in a contingency fund, asking the appeals court to suspend any mandated transfers.
As tensions regarding this legal battle mount, some states, such as Wisconsin, are not waiting for the court's decision. According to a spokesperson for Gov. Tony Evers, many SNAP recipients in Wisconsin reported receiving their complete November payments Friday morning.
Governor Evers' office confirmed that recipients could see their balances increase, suggesting that at least some benefits were reaching those in need despite the broader uncertainty surrounding the food assistance program that supports approximately one in eight Americans, mainly individuals and families with low incomes.
