SNAP benefits payments issued in November cancelled by Trump

Trump Administration Orders States to Reverse Full SNAP Benefits Payments
Millions of Families to Lose Food Assistance
States Must Comply or Face Federal Sanctions

The Trump administration has instructed U.S. states to reverse full SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) payments made in November, following a USDA memorandum issued Saturday. The order came after the Supreme Court temporarily suspended a previous federal court ruling that had restored full benefits.

The new directive could cut benefits by up to 35%, affecting millions of households that depend on the program for access to basic food.

Legal Dispute Over SNAP Benefits Payments: Conflicting Court Rulings

The new memorandum, signed by Patrick A. Penn, Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services at the USDA, instructs state agencies not to process full SNAP payments.

Instead, they must issue partial payments (35%) reflecting the reduction established on November 5.

The document warns that any state that issued full SNAP benefits without authorization must reverse them immediately and notify their regional Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) representative.

Failure to comply could result in the loss of federal administrative funds and require states to repay any overpaid benefits.

The dispute stems from a series of contradictory court orders.

Just days earlier, a federal judge in Rhode Island had ordered the Trump administration to restore full SNAP payments, accusing the government of withholding resources “for political reasons” and causing “unnecessary suffering” for vulnerable families.

However, the Supreme Court intervened, suspending that decision and allowing the administration time to appeal. This paved the way for Saturday’s USDA order, which reverses full payments and requires states to correct any unauthorized disbursements.

Why It Matters: Millions of Families Will Lose Benefits

SNAP benefits are the main source of food assistance for more than 40 million Americans, including millions of Latino families struggling with high living costs and stagnant wages.

A 35% reduction means that a household receiving $700 per month could now receive less than $460 — a difference that endangers food security for families dependent on the program.

The Department of Agriculture justified the move by stating that the previous court authorization is no longer valid and that states must comply with the Supreme Court’s new directive.

Still, the sudden change has caused widespread confusion among state agencies, which must now adjust their payment systems and notify millions of beneficiaries within days.

Impact on the Latino Community: Less Food on the Table

Among the hardest hit by the federal order are low-income Latino households, especially in California, Texas, Florida, and New York, where Hispanic families represent a significant portion of SNAP beneficiaries.

In many of these states, SNAP food coupons are the only resource that guarantees access to fresh produce, meat, and dairy.

For working families living paycheck to paycheck, a cut of this scale means choosing between paying rent or putting food on the table.

Community organizations and food banks have already reported a rise in demand for assistance, warning that the federal reductions could worsen hunger and food insecurity in the most vulnerable neighborhoods.

Social rights advocates also warn that such cuts disproportionately affect Latino children and the elderly, who depend on SNAP benefits to maintain a minimum and balanced diet.

Political Reactions: Governors Defy the Federal Order

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey was among the first to respond to the USDA memorandum, according to NBC News.

On Sunday, she warned that her state would maintain the distribution of already-processed funds and would not allow beneficiaries to lose immediate access to food.

“If President Trump wants to penalize states for preventing Americans from going hungry, we’ll see him in court,” Healey said.

She added that Massachusetts residents who already received their funds should continue using them for food, as the SNAP payments were processed under the administration’s initial guidance and before the Supreme Court’s order.

Her stance highlights the growing tension between state governments and the federal administration, amid a fast-moving legal battle over SNAP funding during the partial government shutdown.

What’s Next for SNAP Benefits Payments

For now, the USDA order remains in effect, and states are required to enforce the 35% reduction in payments.

However, the legal process continues. The Court of Appeals is expected to decide in the coming weeks whether the Supreme Court’s suspension will stand or be overturned.

If states fail to reverse full payments in time, they could be held financially responsible for the difference — a move that could destabilize local assistance programs.