Two federal judges on Friday ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to keep funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). They said the government must use emergency reserve funds to pay for it.

The rulings came from courts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Both judges allowed the administration to decide whether to fund the program fully or partly in November. This decision may delay payments for many families who usually receive benefits early in the month.

USDA Planned to Stop Payments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had planned to freeze SNAP payments on November 1. Officials said they could not fund the program because of the shutdown. SNAP helps one in eight Americans and costs about $8 billion each month.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, welcomed the rulings. She said, “The administration is choosing not to feed Americans in need, despite knowing that it is legally required to do so.”

President Trump blamed congressional Democrats for the shutdown. On social media, he wrote that the government would follow the court’s orders once it received clear legal direction. “If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding,” he posted.

Judges Say SNAP Funds Must Be Used

Democratic governors and attorneys general from 25 states and Washington, D.C., challenged the plan to pause SNAP. They argued that the administration must keep the program running using available funds.

The administration said it could not use a $5 billion contingency fund. But the Democratic officials said it could—and must. They also pointed out that another $23 billion fund was available.

In Rhode Island, Judge John J. McConnell ordered the government to use at least the contingency funds to keep SNAP running. He asked for an update by Monday. He also ruled that all previous waivers for work requirements must remain active, including those for veterans and older adults.

In Massachusetts, Judge Indira Talwani called the suspension “unlawful.” She said the USDA must pay for SNAP using the contingency funds. “Defendants’ suspension of SNAP payments was based on the erroneous conclusion that the Contingency Funds could not be used,” she wrote.

SNAP Payments Will Still Be Delayed

Even with the rulings, many people will get their benefits late. Loading SNAP cards takes a week or more in several states. The administration has not said whether it will appeal.

States and food banks have been preparing for possible delays. Many are offering extra food or speeding up benefit distributions.

Diane Yentel, president of the National Council of Nonprofits, said, “Thousands of nonprofit food banks, pantries and other organizations across the country can avoid the impossible burden that would have resulted if SNAP benefits had been halted.”

Families Worry About Reduced Benefits

Many SNAP users remain worried about cuts. Cynthia Kirkhart, head of Facing Hunger Food Bank in West Virginia, said her team will keep longer hours. “What we know, unless the administration is magical, is nothing is going to happen tomorrow,” she said.

In Florida, nursing student and mother of three Kristle Johnson said her $994 benefit barely covers food for a month. “Now I have to deal with someone who wants to get rid of everything I have to keep my family afloat until I can better myself,” she said.

Political Fight Over Food Aid Continues

The rulings did not end the political battle. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the contingency funds would not last long. She blamed Democrats for blocking a funding bill. She called their actions a “disgusting dereliction of duty.”

Congress failed to pass a plan this week to extend SNAP funding.

In 2025, a family of four must earn less than $31,000 a year to qualify for SNAP. The program helped 41 million people last year. Most were families with children.

Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, praised the decision. “The court’s ruling protects millions of families, seniors, and veterans from being used as leverage in a political fight and upholds the principle that no one in America should go hungry,” she said.