Food Aid Chaos: Supreme Court Delays Full SNAP Payments
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to delay full payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This decision maintains the current uncertain situation for a few more days. Some states have issued full food aid payments, while others have provided nothing or only partial amounts.
The Supreme Court's order will expire just before midnight on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Senate has approved a bill to end the government shutdown. The House of Representatives may vote on this bill as early as Wednesday. If the government reopens, SNAP benefits will restart. However, it remains unclear how quickly full payments will resume.
The Supreme Court's decision appears to be a way to avoid making a major legal ruling. They are hoping the government shutdown will end soon. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the only one who wanted to immediately restart full payments, but she did not explain her reasoning.
Impact on Families
In Pennsylvania, some people received their full November benefits on Friday. However, Jim Malliard, a 41-year-old caretaker, had not received anything by Monday. Malliard cares for his wife, who is blind and has suffered multiple strokes, and his teenage daughter, who had severe medical complications from surgery last year. Without the $350 monthly SNAP payment, Malliard is down to $10 in his account and is relying on what's left in his pantry.
Community Response
The political fighting in Washington has shocked many Americans. Some people, like teacher Ashley Oxenford, have started helping out. Oxenford set up a small food pantry in her front yard for vulnerable neighbors in Carthage, New York.
Legal and Political Battles
SNAP has been at the center of a major court fight. The Trump administration cut off SNAP funding after October due to the shutdown. This decision led to lawsuits and confusing court rulings. The administration eventually said recipients would get up to 65% of their regular benefits. However, they refused when a judge said they must fund the program fully for November.
The Supreme Court agreed to pause that order. An appeals court said full funding should resume, but the top court extended the order blocking full SNAP payments.
The U.S. Senate passed legislation to reopen the federal government. This plan would include replenishing SNAP funds. President Trump has not said whether he would sign it. However, he said it "looks like we're getting close to the shutdown ending."
The Trump administration said in a Supreme Court filing that the courts should not be involved. They believe Congress should reopen the government to end the crisis. After the ruling, Attorney General Pam Bondi thanked the Court for allowing Congress to continue its work.
The coalition of cities and nonprofit groups who challenged the SNAP pause said the Department of Agriculture is to blame for the confusion. They believe the chaos was caused by the USDA's delays and stubbornness, not by the court's efforts to help.