The Trump administration is pressuring states to reverse the distribution of full SNAP food benefits mandated by judges following a recent stay by the U.S. Supreme Court. This development adds another twist to the legal battle surrounding the crucial anti-hunger program utilized by 42 million Americans.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s demand comes amidst warnings from over two dozen states about potential severe operational disruptions unless they are reimbursed for the SNAP benefits they approved prior to the Supreme Court’s intervention. Non-profits and Democratic attorneys general had filed lawsuits in November to compel the administration to continue the program.
Despite recent court victories leading to the prompt allocation of benefits to millions, the Trump administration had been hesitant to reimburse states for the initial round of SNAP payments even before the stay was granted. Wisconsin, for instance, faces the risk of depleting funds for 700,000 residents due to frozen reimbursements from the U.S. Treasury, as highlighted by Governor Tony Evers’ administration.
The looming financial shortfall may result in unpaid vendors and potential legal disputes, with states potentially facing substantial repayment demands. The situation has been described as posing significant operational challenges and negative consequences for residents in a court filing at the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
In response, the Department of Agriculture has informed states that any payments made are now considered “unauthorized.” This directive led to the call for the reversal of steps taken to provide full SNAP benefits for November 2025.
Governor Evers swiftly rejected the administration’s demand, emphasizing that Wisconsin lawfully distributed benefits to hundreds of thousands of residents following assurances from the Trump administration regarding full SNAP benefits implementation, which have not materialized as promised.