Mount Sinai NY
11-09-2025 12:33pm

SNAP Reversal: Millions Face Reduced Food Aid After Trump Directive

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing dispute over food assistance funding, the Trump administration has directed states to “immediately undo any steps” taken to issue full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November. The directive, issued late Saturday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), follows a temporary Supreme Court ruling that sided with the administration amid a broader legal battle over SNAP funding during the government shutdown.

The USDA memo warns that states who already processed full payments must now claw back those funds and revert to partial disbursements—specifically, just 65 percent of the usual monthly allotment. The agency emphasized that any full payments were “unauthorized” and threatened to cancel federal reimbursements for administrative costs or hold states liable for overpayments if they fail to comply.

This reversal comes just days after a federal judge ordered the administration to release full SNAP benefits, prompting several states to begin issuing payments in accordance with that ruling. However, the Supreme Court's Friday decision temporarily paused the lower court’s order, allowing the administration to maintain its reduced funding stance while the appeal proceeds.

The SNAP program, which supports nearly 42 million Americans, has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over the impact of the government shutdown, now in its 40th day. Advocates warn that the uncertainty and reduced benefits could deepen food insecurity for millions of low-income families, especially as the holiday season approaches.

Local officials across Long Island and New York State are now grappling with how to respond. Some had already begun processing full payments in anticipation of the court order, and now face logistical and ethical dilemmas about reversing aid that may have already reached recipients. Community organizations and food banks are bracing for increased demand as families navigate the fallout.

The USDA has not provided clear guidance on how states should recover funds already distributed, nor has it addressed the potential disruption to families who rely on SNAP for groceries and essentials. Critics argue that the administration’s actions are not only legally questionable but morally troubling, given the stakes for vulnerable populations.

As the legal battle continues, Long Island Daily News will monitor how this decision affects local families, state agencies, and community support networks. For now, the message from Washington is clear: full SNAP benefits are off the table—at least temporarily—and states must fall in line or face consequences.

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