OLYMPIA, WA – A federal judge in Massachusetts has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) contingency funds to continue providing benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The order, issued earlier this week, requires the USDA to inform the court by Monday whether it will fully or partially fund SNAP for November. If the contingency fund is not sufficient to cover benefits nationwide, the federal government must explore additional funding sources.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, who joined a coalition of 26 states in suing the Trump administration, said the lawsuit challenges the suspension of SNAP benefits as unlawful and arbitrary under the Administrative Procedure Act.
In a statement following the ruling, Brown said the decision “makes clear that USDA must use contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits.” He added that states would continue to seek accountability if the federal government fails to distribute benefits in full.
According to the order, the USDA must report back to the court by November 3 on how it plans to ensure that more than 42 million Americans continue to receive food assistance during the shutdown.
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office serves as the state’s largest law firm, providing legal representation to agencies and enforcing laws related to consumer protection, civil rights, and public welfare.
