By: Richard L. Smith
Despite a sweeping federal court order directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds, millions of Americans, including more than 800,000 New Jersey residents, remain without benefits as of Saturday morning, November 1.
SNAP cards will work for those with money still on them but no new funding will be added.
According to information released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts ruled late Friday that the USDA must use its contingency funds to continue the SNAP program during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The court further ordered that if those funds are insufficient, the federal government must explore additional sources to prevent disruption of food assistance to approximately 42 million Americans.
“From the beginning, we have said that the Trump Administration’s attempt to cut over 800,000 New Jerseyans from SNAP benefits that keep food on the table for them was blatantly illegal, and today the court agreed with us,” said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.
“While this fight is not yet over, this is a critical development in our fight to prevent New Jersey families from being harmed by the Trump Administration’s political games.”
As of Saturday morning, however, no SNAP funds have been released to recipients. The USDA has until Monday, November 3, to inform the court whether it will comply and resume payments using additional federal funding to resume payments.
Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency on Friday to coordinate a statewide response to the suspension of SNAP benefits, directing the Office of Emergency Management to assist residents affected by the lapse.
The state has also accelerated $42.5 million in emergency grants to local food banks to help families facing immediate food insecurity.
For those who received SNAP benefits before October 31, existing funds remain usable. However, recipients whose benefits were not reloaded should expect a delay.
While Friday’s court order marked a victory in New Jersey’s legal battle, state officials emphasized that compliance is the next crucial next step to restoring food aid for millions nationwide.