Coalition of 25 States Sues Trump Administration Over SNAP Benefit Freeze Amid Government Shutdown

States Challenge SNAP Benefit Suspension

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, a coalition comprising 25 U.S. states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, specifically targeting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The legal challenge seeks to prevent the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, which are set to expire on November 1, 2025, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown that commenced on October 1, 2025.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, argues that the administration's decision to withhold these crucial benefits is unlawful and threatens the food security of approximately 42 million Americans who rely on the program.

Dispute Over Contingency Funds

At the heart of the legal battle is the availability and use of SNAP-specific contingency funds. The plaintiff states contend that the USDA possesses billions of dollars in these emergency reserves—estimated between $5.5 billion and $6 billion—which Congress appropriated for this very purpose. They argue that these funds should be utilized to ensure the continuity of benefits during the shutdown.

Conversely, the Trump administration and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins maintain that these contingency funds are either not legally available for regular benefit payments during a lapse in appropriations or are insufficient to cover the estimated $9.2 billion required for November's benefits. This stance contradicts previous government shutdowns, including one from December 2018 to January 2019, during which the USDA had indicated that such funds could be accessed to maintain SNAP operations.

Widespread Impact and Legal Arguments

The coalition of states, led by attorneys general and governors from jurisdictions including New York, California, Massachusetts, Washington, Minnesota, Oregon, Connecticut, and Nevada, asserts that the suspension of benefits would lead to a 'deterioration of public health and well-being' and place an undue burden on state and local resources. New York Attorney General Letitia James stated, 'There is no excuse for this administration to abandon families who rely on Snap, or food stamps, as a lifeline.' Washington Attorney General Nick Brown added, 'Trump is picking and choosing what gets funded and what doesn't during the shutdown. Apparently keeping food on the table for more than 40 million Americans isn't a priority for the President.'

The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to compel the USDA to release the funds immediately. A hearing on the matter was scheduled for Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. before Judge Indira Talwani. The states involved in the lawsuit are:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wisconsin