Picture courtesy of Hunger Task Force

 

The Trump administration has directed US states to cease distributing full food aid benefits to low-income families, branding the action as "unauthorised". This decision comes in the wake of a memo from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) stating that states should only provide 65% of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits after a Supreme Court ruling. This affects over 42 million Americans who began receiving reduced benefits this month as the US government shutdown continues.

 

Previously, some states continued to issue full benefits following a federal judge's ruling that mandated complete funding for the program. However, in a recent memo, the USDA instructed states to halt any dispersal of full November benefits and to reclaim funds distributed over the 65% mark. The USDA warned states of potential repercussions, such as the withdrawal of federal funding for administrative costs, should they fail to adhere to this new directive.

 

The conflict arises after the USDA initially signalled that it was working towards resuming full payments, complying with a lower court order by using emergency funds. This compliance was interrupted by a Supreme Court decision permitting the administration to withhold $4bn (approximately ฿147bn) amid ongoing legal proceedings. States including New York, Massachusetts, California, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania had already begun distributing full benefits prior to this directive, reported the BBC.

 

Reactions have been swift. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers defied the order, asserting a firm "no" to reclaiming benefits. Similarly, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey vowed to contest the administration's actions in court, stating, "If President Trump wants to punish states for preventing Americans from going hungry, we will see him in court." These statements underscore the tension between state and federal authorities as they navigate the complexities of SNAP funding amid the prolonged government shutdown.

 

The USDA announced in November that it would suspend benefits due to funding shortages, prompting this legal contention. The SNAP program serves roughly one in eight Americans, with a total monthly cost nearing $9 billion (approximately ฿331 billion). On average, a family of four receives ฿26,000 monthly, equating to less than ฿218 daily per person.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• US states ordered to cut food aid benefits to 65% amid court rulings.
• Supreme Court supports Trump in withholding $4bn of SNAP funds.
• States like Wisconsin and Massachusetts prepare legal challenges.

Related Stories:

Judge Orders Full November SNAP Payments by Trump Administration

US Food Aid to Halt Amid Government Shutdown

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-11-10

 

 

Keep it up Donnie my boy you are digging your own grave lol 50% of your hard core supporters are on the dole….even a drunk hillbilly knows why he’s hungry 🤤 it’s you and they know it!!

..the USDA instructed states to halt any dispersal of full November benefits and to reclaim funds distributed over the 65% mark." Do any of the rulers in DC have the slightest idea how awful that is? "Go snatch that loaf of bread, that box of cereal, from that family's hands". Political poison.

If the states want to feed their own people, that is their right. Don't need approval from any clown in USDA. Has to do with little read document (or followed) by Trump admin. Specifically, the 10th amendment, last one in the Bill of Rights:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively"

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The Trump administration has directed US states to cease distributing full food aid benefits to low-income families, branding the action as "unauthorised".

Meanwhile the extravagant partying and banquet of greed continued at Mar- a - lago. Trump is out of touch to reality on the streets and tone deaf to the people's sufferings. 

9 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Meanwhile the extravagant partying and banquet of greed continued at Mar- a - lago. Trump is out of touch to reality on the streets and tone deaf to the people's sufferings. 

Of course what would any lucid human expect the dudes never experienced want or need,he’s ridiculed the poor all his life.some president ehh ??? Had enough yet magga?

Maybe this would be a good time for these leaches to go on a diet and stop buying the sugar drinks. Or how about actually getting a job and getting off of welfare. 

Keep Right .Great idea where do you get a job in Trumps economy.!

On 11/10/2025 at 8:16 PM, Keep Right said:

Maybe this would be a good time for these leaches to go on a diet and stop buying the sugar drinks. Or how about actually getting a job and getting off of welfare. 

 

Most of the grifters I saw complaining about this on social media (and threatening to rob stores and other customers) could clearly go a month without food and still be well over 100 kgs. 

 

It might actually be a cure for obesity. 

On 11/10/2025 at 3:52 AM, Tug said:

Keep it up Donnie my boy you are digging your own grave lol 50% of your hard core supporters are on the dole….even a drunk hillbilly knows why he’s hungry 🤤 it’s you and they know it!!

Link?

12 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Most of the grifters I saw complaining about this on social media (and threatening to rob stores and other customers) could clearly go a month without food and still be well over 100 kgs. 

 

It might actually be a cure for obesity. 

Thumbs up. Maybe that will be the proverbial straw that will finally split the Maga supporters in Red States which are more acutely affected and in dire need for SNAP benefits. Another of Trump winning strategy. 

5 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Thumbs up. Maybe that will be the proverbial straw that will finally split the Maga supporters in Red States which are more acutely affected and in dire need for SNAP benefits. Another of Trump winning strategy. 

 

On 11/10/2025 at 8:16 PM, Keep Right said:

Maybe this would be a good time for these leaches to go on a diet and stop buying the sugar drinks. Or how about actually getting a job and getting off of welfare. 

 

55 minutes ago, Paul Henry said:

Keep Right .Great idea where do you get a job in Trumps economy.!

Even if they do get a job, do you know how many people who have a job, often full time, receive SNAP? Companies like Walmart and Target have many employees that are on SNAP. So the American tax payer is subsidizing companies that make profits in the billions of dollars. Walmart 12 billion dollars last year alone.

Of the taxes that the average American pays, 36 dollars a year go to SNAP. And MAGA and the right are going ballistic over this. But of the taxes that average American pays, more than 700 dollars goes to big companies like Walmart. If you want get mad at something, get mad at that, because it’s insane!

4 minutes ago, rudi49jr said:

Walmart and Target have many employees that are on SNAP. So the American tax payer is subsidizing companies that make profits in the billions of dollars. Walmart 12 billion dollars last year alone.

Link?

7 minutes ago, TedG said:

 

 

New Mexico Snap benefits are heavily used in rural Maga area due to higher poverty rates.

4 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

 

New Mexico Snap benefits are heavily used in rural Maga area due to higher poverty rates.

New Mexico is deep blue.

7 minutes ago, TedG said:

New Mexico is deep blue.

Not in the rural areas.

18 minutes ago, TedG said:

Link?

https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/walmart-mcdonalds-largest-employers-snap-medicaid-recipients

Trump likely has no idea how many of his own supporters are poor white folks who desperately need the assistance. 

 

It's definitely very much like the Grinch to hold back the equivalent amount of money of adding a few new F-35s to the nations Air Force. Mr. Uncharitable shoots themself in the foot once again. 

 

 

22 hours ago, rudi49jr said:

https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/walmart-mcdonalds-largest-employers-snap-medicaid-recipients

I found the study.  Which was done in 11 states in 2020 using 2019 date.  The fact is, any single person in 2019 did not qualify for SNAP working full time on minimum wage.  Full time is defined as 35 to 40 hours per week.   

21 hours ago, rudi49jr said:

No single person will qualify working full time.  If they have a full time job working minimum wage.