Half of US states sue Trump administration over halting food stamps

October 28, 2025

Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to compel the use of approximately $6 billion in emergency contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves over 40 million low-income Americans. The USDA has refused to tap these emergency reserves, stating they should be preserved for potential natural disasters, and has announced that SNAP funds will be depleted by November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. While some states have committed to using their own resources to cover funding gaps, others like Massachusetts lack sufficient funds to compensate for the federal shortfall.

Who is affected

More than 40 million low-income Americans receiving SNAP benefits
Families of four receiving an average of $715 monthly in food assistance
One million people in Massachusetts expected to lose benefits
25 states and the District of Columbia (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin)
Democratic attorneys general leading the lawsuit
Mothers, babies, and vulnerable populations receiving WIC benefits

What action is being taken

Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration to force use of contingency funds
Several states are pledging to use their own funds to cover shortfalls
States are working with SNAP recipients to locate charity food pantries and find alternative meal sources
California is deploying its National Guard to help distribute food

Why it matters

This represents the first time in SNAP's history that emergency contingency funds would not be distributed during a crisis, potentially leaving millions of Americans without access to food assistance. The loss of benefits would lead to food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition, causing serious health consequences including poor concentration, decreased cognitive function, fatigue, depression, and behavioral problems, particularly in children. Even if the contingency fund were utilized, it would only cover approximately 60% of one month's benefits, and many states lack sufficient resources to independently bridge the funding gap.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC