The Trump administration is calling for states to reverse the distribution of full SNAP food benefits following a recent Supreme Court decision. The legal battle over the anti-hunger program, which serves 42 million Americans, has seen back-and-forth actions by both sides.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s demand comes as over two dozen states express concerns about potential disruptions if they are not reimbursed for the SNAP benefits they issued before the Supreme Court intervened. Non-profits and Democratic attorneys general had previously sued the administration in November to maintain the program.
Despite winning court rulings in their favor, which led to the prompt issuance of benefits to millions, the Trump administration had hesitated to reimburse states for the initial payments. Wisconsin, for instance, faces the possibility of depleting funds by Monday after the U.S. Treasury halted reimbursements, affecting 700,000 residents.
The states warned that the financial strain could result in unpaid vendors and legal complications, potentially leading to demands for the return of significant sums. The situation, as described in a filing to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, could cause severe operational disruptions and harm residents.
In response to the Trump administration’s directive to reverse the benefits, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers firmly stated that the state had acted lawfully based on a court order. He highlighted the administration’s failure to fulfill promises of ensuring full SNAP benefits for November, leaving many residents without essential food support.