As the US government shutdown hits Day 40, millions of SNAP recipients face uncertainty after a sudden federal directive. States have been ordered to reverse actions taken to issue their full November benefits, putting nutrition assistance on hold.
USDA Memo Demands Reversal
In a late-night memo, the US Department of Agriculture instructed regional SNAP directors that any measures to distribute full November payments were unauthorized and must be undone. “Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025,” the memo said. It added that noncompliant states could face “including cancellation of the Federal share of State administrative costs and holding States liable for any overissuances that result from the noncompliance.”
About 42 million Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides funds to purchase groceries.
Legal Challenge and Shutdown Impact
The ongoing government shutdown began on October 1 and has disrupted various federal services. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or required to work without pay. Meanwhile, many air traffic controllers have stayed home, forcing the FAA to ground thousands of flights ahead of Thanksgiving.
Although the USDA planned to suspend benefits on November 1, a Rhode Island court ordered the agency to use emergency funds to continue payments. In a November 3 filing, USDA said it “is complying with the Court’s order and will fulfill its obligation to expend the full amount of SNAP contingency funds.”
President Trump later wrote on Truth Social that SNAP distributions would remain paused until the shutdown ends. The administration has since appealed the lower court ruling, and the Supreme Court temporarily halted the Rhode Island order pending further legal review.