A federal judge in Rhode Island directed the Trump administration on Thursday to release full funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The program supports more than 42 million low-income Americans.

US District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. said the government must arrange the funds by Friday. He noted that the administration ignored his earlier order to ensure full or partial SNAP payments by Wednesday. The delay, he said, was causing unnecessary suffering during the shutdown.

Court Criticises Partial Funding Plan

Judge McConnell rejected the government’s plan to partly fund SNAP. He said the decision failed to consider how long it would take states to process reduced benefits. “The evidence shows that people will go hungry, food pantries will be overburdened, and needless suffering will occur,” McConnell said. “That’s what irreparable harm here means. This should never happen in America.”

Friday Deadline Set

The judge gave the Trump administration until Friday to release payments. However, experts said beneficiaries might not see the money immediately on their grocery cards.

“The defendants failed to consider the practical consequences of their decision,” McConnell said. “They knew there would be long delays and ignored the harm it would cause to families relying on SNAP benefits.”

Legal and Financial Fallout

Such court orders are rarely appealable, though the Trump administration has challenged similar rulings before. The plaintiffs argued that SNAP must be fully funded to protect millions from hunger.

SNAP, a key part of America’s social safety net, supports about one in eight citizens. The program costs around $8 billion each month.

States Step In

Several states — including New York, Oregon, and Virginia — declared emergencies to provide temporary funds. Yet their aid covers only a small portion of what Washington normally provides.

Judge McConnell’s order highlighted growing fears that millions could face hunger if the government fails to restore full federal food aid.