US Supreme Court Sides with Trump: £3bn SNAP Cut Hits 42 Million Low-Income Families

In a rather shocking decision, the US Supreme Court announced on 11 November 2025, that it would for now green light the Trump administration to continue withholding billions in federal food assistance, the decision allegedly aggravated a national crisis for millions of Americans already struggling to afford groceries. Moreover, the ruling temporarily permits the administration to pause around $4 billion (£3.12 billion) in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is a controversial decision that affects an approximated 42 million low income people across the country.

What the US Supreme Court Ruled

As per sources, the latest developments began when the US District Judge John McConnell previously ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits, saying millions of families would otherwise face 'irreparable harm'. Moreover, his ruling briefly gave relief to states preparing to disburse full payments. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) even told state agencies reportedly that it was moving to comply with McConnell's directive, so it seems the process was already going on.

However, in a surprising twist, US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary hold on that order, which gives the administration some essential time while the full Court considers the matter. Therefore, the USDA quickly reversed course, reportedly instructing states to 'undo' any efforts to issue full benefits and warning of penalties for non compliance.

This uncertain back and forth has as per reports caused chaos nationwide across the USA. According to sources, some states had already begun issuing full payments, others were struggling to find ways to fill the funding gap. In one telling case, North Carolina distributed partial benefits and was preparing to send the remainder soon before stopping after the Supreme Court's hold on it, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services. Furthermore, states like Massachusetts and New York were considering using their own budgets to make up for the shortage as per reports, though that too, risks legal or fiscal pushback from Washington possibly.

This case also shows how far reaching the power of the US President and the Supreme Court can be when it comes to managing or withholding important social programs. Furthermore, it also reveals how fragile the safety net has become in the face of political stalemates and court battles that leave ordinary citizens paying the price.

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Strained Food Pantries and Desperate Families

As per latest reports, for those dependent on SNAP, this funding freeze is far more than a bureaucratic snag as it's a question of daily survival. Sources say that SNAP provides a monthly benefit to Americans earning less than 130% of the federal poverty line. And for the current fiscal year, the maximum monthly benefit is $298 (£225) for an individual and $546 (£413) for a two-person household.

As these payments are delayed or reduced, recipients have been turning to already overburdened food pantries. Across the country, community organizations, churches, and schools are issuing urgent appeals for food donations to meet the surge in need. In cities like Detroit, and Houston, local food banks report lines stretching around the block.

The Supreme Court's intervention, meanwhile, shows how the judiciary can dramatically influence the delivery of federal aid even without issuing a final ruling. By allowing the administration's pause to stand, at least temporarily, the Court has effectively given the executive branch room to maneuver while legal appeals proceed.