How will Trump appeal affect my SNAP benefits? Will November SNAP payments be delivered?

The Trump administration filed an emergency appeal against a ruling by US District Judge John McConnell on Friday. The Rhode Island federal judge’s order requires the US Department of Agriculture to fully cover November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for around 42 million Americans.

Earlier this week the USDA said that it only had $4.65 billion in a contingency fund it could use, which is roughly half of the $9.2 billion cost of the program. On Thursday, McConnell ordered that the agency find additional money tapping into other reserves they are holding onto.

“There is no lawful basis for an order that directs USDA to somehow find $4 billion in the metaphorical couch cushions,” wrote Department Of Justice attorneys on behalf of USDA in court filings. They called McConnell’s order “a mockery of the separation of powers.”

SNAP benefits in limbo

Benefits from the SNAP program, also known as food stamps, had never been delayed before since its inception until now. Even during previous shutdowns, including the last one during Trump’s first term, funds have been sent out to prevent households from going hungry.

States are not equipped to deal with sending out partial payments which is compounding delays triggered by the initial decision by USDA to halt the release of November funds. In order to follow through on the guidance the agency gave them on Tuesday, they had to reprogram their systems so that recipients’ payments can be recalculated.

Illinois said SNAP recipients should start seeing payments Friday, and North Carolina and Massachusetts have said recipients could see payments next week, reported CNN. Pennsylvania on the other hand said it will take a few weeks to send out payments, while other states did not have a timeline that they could provide when contacted.

However, a monkey wrench was thrown in the works on Wednesday when the USDA said it could provide more than originally announced for SNAP benefits. Then on Thursday the agency was ordered to cover the full amount.

Final guidance for the states could become available this afternoon as the the Trump administration asked for a decision by 4 pm ET Friday in the emergency appeal it filed.

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