A Massachusetts federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must use its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency funds to keep the program operating during the federal government shutdown. If those funds are insufficient for November, the court ordered the USDA to identify other funding sources. The agency must inform the court of its plan by tomorrow.
According to the Arizona Attorney General's Office release, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, representing Arizona in a coalition of 26 states that challenged the Trump Administration, said the court found the administration acted illegally by attempting to halt SNAP benefits despite available emergency funds. The lawsuit argued that suspending benefits violated federal law and the Administrative Procedure Act.
SNAP supports about 12% of Arizona’s population, including 900,000 residents and 30,000 veterans. In Arizona, 40% of SNAP funding goes to feeding children, and the program supports more than 4,600 retailers that accept EBT cards.
According to the court, the USDA’s contingency fund may not cover all states’ November benefits, and the federal government must outline by tomorrow how it will prevent disruptions that could affect 42 million Americans.
In a statement from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Mayes said the USDA must develop a plan to ensure benefits are paid and affirmed her office’s continued efforts to protect SNAP recipients in Arizona.
