In a dramatic turn late Friday, October 31, two federal judges issued emergency rulings ordering the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The decisions—delivered by Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts and Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island—came in response to lawsuits filed by 26 states and the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs argued that the USDA’s plan to suspend November SNAP payments violated federal law and endangered millions of low-income Americans.

Judge Talwani granted a temporary restraining order, stating that the USDA’s refusal to use its $5 billion contingency fund was not supported by statute and posed “immediate, irreparable harm” to recipients. Judge McConnell echoed the urgency, ordering the USDA to distribute contingency funds “timely, or as soon as possible” to ensure uninterrupted benefits.

The USDA had announced earlier in the week that it would halt SNAP payments beginning November 1 due to the lack of an appropriations bill. The agency claimed it lacked legal authority to access emergency reserves, a position both courts rejected.

“Congress put money in an emergency fund, and it is hard for me to understand how this is not an emergency,” Talwani said during Thursday’s hearing.

The rulings mean that SNAP benefits will be issued for November, preserving food assistance for more than 42 million Americans, including over 500,000 Coloradans. The USDA has until Monday, November 3, to confirm whether it will issue full or partial payments.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, one of the lead plaintiffs, praised the decision: “This ruling protects families from hunger and affirms that the law does not permit bureaucratic indifference in a time of crisis.”

The Dispatch will continue monitoring USDA compliance and any further legal developments.