The US Supreme Court has extended a previous ruling permitting the Trump administration to withhold food assistance, leaving tens of millions of Americans reliant on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in a state of uncertainty. The decision comes as Congress moves to reopen the government after the longest shutdown in US history, but millions of families remain in limbo over essential food benefits.

Supreme Court Ruling on Food Assistance

On Tuesday, November 12, 2025, the Supreme Court extended an earlier pause that blocked a lower court order requiring the government to distribute approximately $4 billion in SNAP benefits for November. Advocates warn that withholding these funds could have severe consequences for vulnerable households that depend on federal food aid for their daily sustenance.

The ruling is part of a broader legal battle over the Trump administration’s authority to limit federal benefits during the ongoing government shutdown. While temporary delays in government programs are typical during shutdowns, this marks the first time in SNAP’s 60-year history that food benefits have completely stopped at the beginning of a month.

Senate Approves Compromise Legislation to End Shutdown

The Supreme Court’s decision follows a major development in Congress. On Monday, November 11, 2025, the Senate approved compromise legislation designed to end the government shutdown, which had left hundreds of thousands of federal employees unpaid, disrupted food aid programs, and caused cancellations in air traffic due to staffing shortages.

Despite the legislative progress, the ruling ensures that SNAP recipients face continued uncertainty until final resolutions are implemented. Legal disputes over the program’s funding have prompted a series of back-and-forth court rulings, keeping families dependent on food assistance in a state of limbo.

The Trump Administration and SNAP Controversy

The Trump administration has aggressively pushed to reduce government spending and restrict access to programs it has criticized in the past, including SNAP. The temporary suspension of food benefits has ignited widespread concern among advocates and policymakers alike, highlighting the impact of federal shutdowns on vulnerable populations.

A federal judge had initially ruled last week that the government must release the full November SNAP benefits, but the Trump administration challenged the decision. The Supreme Court’s stay, which was set to expire on Thursday, has now been extended, maintaining the status quo for millions of Americans who rely on these benefits.

Impact on American Families

The suspension of SNAP benefits during the shutdown has far-reaching consequences. Families dependent on food aid face significant uncertainty, and experts warn that prolonged delays could exacerbate food insecurity nationwide. The legal wrangling underscores the critical role federal programs play in supporting millions of low-income Americans, especially during economic or political crises.

What Comes Next

As Congress works to finalize a funding package and reopen the government, the legal and administrative processes surrounding SNAP benefits are expected to continue. Advocates emphasize the need for swift resolution to prevent further disruption to food assistance programs. Meanwhile, families affected by the shutdown remain in a precarious position, relying on community support and temporary measures until government funding resumes.