Judge orders Trump administration to make SNAP payments with contingency funds

However, despite the ruling, it remained unclear what the extent of the disruption in funds would be, as they were scheduled to lapse Nov. 1. Some interruption is therefore expected, and the Trump administration could appeal McConnell's ruling.

In a joint statement, the coalition of plaintiffs in the case — Rhode Island State Council of Churches v. Rollins — called the ruling "a lifeline for millions of families, seniors, and veterans who depend on SNAP to put food on the table." The defendant is Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

"It reaffirms a fundamental principle: no administration can use hunger as a political weapon," the statement said. "This victory is about more than one program — it's about the American values of fairness, compassion, and accountability that hold our democracy together. Our coalition represents communities on the frontlines of the hunger crisis. We came together because we refuse to accept a government that turns its back on people in need. We will keep fighting to ensure that federal programs serve their lawful purpose — to help, not harm people and communities."

Catholic leaders and ministries are among those who have raised alarm at the prospect of a lapse in federal food assistance. 

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement released late Oct. 28 the group is "deeply alarmed that essential programs that support the common good, such as SNAP, may be interrupted."

"This would be catastrophic for families and individuals who rely on SNAP to put food on the table and places the burdens of this shutdown most heavily on the poor and vulnerable of our nation, who are the least able to move forward," Broglio said.

The Trump administration had previously argued that it could not use the contingency funds for the program, despite previous precedent, including from President Donald Trump's first term.

In anticipation of a lapse in federal food assistance programs, Catholic Charities USA, the network organization dedicated to carrying out the domestic humanitarian work of the Catholic Church in the United States, announced a national fundraising effort to provide an emergency supply of food to Catholic Charities agencies around the country.

Volunteers were out in force at one Philadelphia parish Oct. 31, distributing food hours ahead of the anticipated  funding lapse. 

"They were calling the parish school to find out about this today," said Joyce Ramsey, a longtime volunteer at the St. Benedict Church food pantry, part of St. Athanasius Parish in Philadelphia. The ministry saw an uptick in new clients as SNAP was set to be suspended Nov. 1.

Speaking to OSV News on Oct. 29, St. Athanasius pastor Fr. Joseph Okonski — who oversaw the Oct. 31 distribution at St. Benedict — said that regular deliveries from the pantry's main partnering food bank have shrunk due to cutbacks, tariffs and the federal government shutdown. He also noted that a number of clients at the food pantry were reluctant to speak with OSV News directly, due to fear of possible immigration detention. 

Yet amid the frustration and concern they expressed, the priest and his volunteer team pointed to the joy of serving others in need. "It's a blessing, just helping people," said a volunteer named Tina. "I can't help everybody, but I would try if I could."