The Trump administration is requesting states to reverse the distribution of full SNAP food benefits following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to stay the recent court orders. This development comes amidst a legal battle over the SNAP program, which serves 42 million Americans.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s demand has raised concerns in over two dozen states about potential operational disruptions if they are not reimbursed for the SNAP benefits authorized before the Supreme Court’s intervention. Non-profits and Democratic attorneys general had filed lawsuits in November to maintain the program, leading to recent court victories and the immediate release of benefits in multiple states.
Despite the court rulings in their favor, the Trump administration had hesitated to reimburse states for the initial round of SNAP payments. Wisconsin, for instance, distributed benefits to 700,000 residents but faces financial strain after the U.S. Treasury halted reimbursements, risking money shortage by Monday according to Governor Tony Evers’ administration.
The potential financial shortfall could disrupt operations and lead to legal claims against the states, as highlighted in a filing at the First Circuit Court of Appeals. The Department of Agriculture has now labeled the payments as “unauthorized,” instructing states to reverse any full SNAP benefits distributed in November 2025.
Governor Evers swiftly responded to the administration’s directive, affirming the legality of Wisconsin’s actions and criticizing the failure of the Trump administration to implement full SNAP benefits as promised. This ongoing dispute underscores the challenges faced by states and beneficiaries reliant on the SNAP program.