People in some U.S. states, including Massachusetts, will be able to buy groceries with federally funded SNAP benefits on Saturday, while others are still waiting for their November food benefits after a protracted legal battle over the government shutdown.
On Friday, several states began issuing full monthly SNAP benefits, following a federal judge’s order requiring the Trump administration to release the funds. However, a late-night emergency order from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily blocked fully funded SNAP payments through the end of November. This decision comes after the Trump administration asked the court to pause lower court rulings that required full SNAP distributions, citing limited funds in a contingency account.
Some Massachusetts residents reported receiving their full SNAP payments late Friday night and early Saturday morning. “Got my full amount this morning, in Mass!” one Boston 25 News viewer shared. Another said, “I got my full benefits last night.”
A spokesperson for Governor Maura Healey confirmed that payments were issued Saturday morning to Massachusetts residents who missed their previous payment. “We confirmed that our previously scheduled payment went out this morning, so those who had missed a payment should now have funds on their cards, ready to be spent immediately. We are assessing what this latest Court action means for those who were supposed to receive their benefits next week.”
Healey’s office also called on President Trump to “stop trying to force Americans to go hungry and pay full SNAP benefits for everyone.”
Despite these payments, the emergency Supreme Court order means that full SNAP benefits will not continue for the remainder of November. The USDA will instead issue partial payments moving forward.
Previously, a federal judge in Rhode Island had ordered the administration to comply with full payment requirements by Friday, but the Supreme Court’s ruling overrides that deadline.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell criticized the decision, stating, “I am disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision to enable the federal government to withhold resources to feed millions of Americans.” Governor Healey also expressed concern, saying the ruling “takes away hope for millions of Americans.” Healey confirmed that her office was in communication with the state’s payment processor Thursday night to assess the impact of the emergency order.
Boston 25 News has reached out to the governor’s office for confirmation on whether all SNAP recipients in Massachusetts will receive full benefits this weekend. A response is pending.
Nearly 42 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits—formerly known as food stamps—to help buy groceries. Most recipients have incomes below the poverty line, which is around $32,000 for a family of four. The monthly maximum benefit is nearly $300 for an individual and up to $1,000 for a family of four, though many receive less based on their income.
Delays in SNAP payments have led to increased demand at food banks and pantries across the country, resulting in long lines for free meals and drive-thru giveaways. Some states have provided emergency funding to food banks or used state dollars for direct payments while federal benefits were in limbo.
Associated Press reporting contributed to this story.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/mass-residents-report-getting-snap-135638783.html
