NEW YORK, NY (October 31, 2025) — New York Attorney General Letitia James secured a court ruling requiring the federal government to use contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the shutdown.
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts Judge ruled the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to suspend November SNAP benefits was likely unlawful.
The court ordered the administration to report by Monday on plans to use contingency funding for November benefits.
“Millions of families rely on SNAP — or food stamps — to survive,” James said. “The administration tried to use the shutdown as an excuse to withhold food assistance from vulnerable Americans, but the court has made clear that the law requires those benefits to continue. The federal government cannot simply walk away from its obligation to feed the people it serves. We will keep fighting until every family in New York and across the nation can put food on the table.”
James and a coalition of 25 other attorneys general and governors sued USDA after the agency announced suspension of November SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown.
The coalition argued USDA has billions of dollars in a congressionally appropriated contingency fund to ensure SNAP continues during funding lapses.
The Massachusetts court held USDA’s suspension violated federal law and the agency must use contingency funds or available resources to prevent disruption to food assistance.
The court directed the federal government to take immediate steps to deploy funding and report its plan by Nov. 3.
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL
“Today’s rulings confirm that the Trump administration must release emergency nutrition assistance for the 3 million New Yorkers set to lose their SNAP benefits tomorrow.
“No state should have to sue the federal government to ensure families can put food on the table. But when Washington Republicans refused to act, New York took them to court to mitigate this crisis.
“My administration remains prepared for the worst — fast-tracking over $100 million for food banks and pantries and declaring a state of emergency. With these rulings, it is clear the Trump administration can fully fund the SNAP program. We’re calling on the administration to immediately release these funds and support our efforts to keep New Yorkers fed during the shutdown.”
In a separate case, U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted a nationwide temporary restraining order requiring the administration to restore SNAP benefits as soon as possible.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.