SNAP latest: SCOTUS issues emergency order temporarily blocking full funding for aid program

BOSTON - The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown.

A judge had given the Republican administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. But the administration asked the appeals court to suspend any court orders requiring it to spend more money than is available in a contingency fund, and instead allow it to continue with planned partial SNAP payments for the month.

Trump appeals judge’s order to distribute SNAP food funds

Big picture view:

The judge gave the Trump administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. But the administration asked the appeals court to suspend any court orders requiring it to spend more money than is available in a contingency fund, and instead allow it to continue with planned partial SNAP payments for the month.

The court filing came even as Wisconsin said Friday that some SNAP recipients in the state already got their full November payments overnight on Thursday.

What they're saying:

"We’ve received confirmation that payments went through, including members reporting they can now see their balances," said Britt Cudaback, a spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Judge orders Trump to fully fund SNAP benefits in November

The backstory:

A federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration Thursday to find the money to fully fund SNAP benefits for November.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. on Thursday was in response to a challenge from cities and nonprofits complaining that the administration was only offering to cover 65% of the maximum benefit. The government said it will rely on $4.65 billion on emergency funding.

"The defendants failed to consider the practical consequences associated with this decision to only partially fund SNAP," McConnell said. "They knew that there would be a long delay in paying partial Snap payments and failed to consider the harms individuals who rely on those benefits would suffer."

The federal judge of Rhode Island ruled that the money must be provided by Friday in response to a coalition of cities and nonprofit groups. He was one of two who said last week that the government couldn’t pause the program entirely this month because of the government shutdown.

The Trump administration said last month that it would not pay benefits at all for November because of the federal shutdown. 

Uncertainty remains for many SNAP recipients

Why you should care:

The grocery-buying ability for about 1 in 8 Americans hinged on the outcome. 

An individual can receive a monthly maximum food benefit of nearly $300 and a family of four up to nearly $1,000, although many receive less than that under a formula that takes into consideration their income. For many SNAP participants, it remains unclear exactly how much they will receive this month, and when they will receive it.

EARLIER: Trump must fully fund SNAP benefits in November, federal judge orders

Benefits are provided to individuals on different days of the month. Those who normally receive benefits on the third, fifth or seventh of the month should receive their full SNAP allotment within 48 hours of funds becoming available, the Michigan agency said, and others should receive their full benefits on their regularly scheduled dates.