Supreme Court extends order blocking full SNAP payments

The Supreme Court extended an order blocking full SNAP payments as the government shutdown appears to be nearing an end. The ruling contributes to ongoing confusion for millions of beneficiaries, as some states have issued full allocations while others have provided none. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the sole justice advocating for immediate revival of lower court orders for full payments. Carolyn Vega, a policy analyst, highlighted potential technical difficulties for states that issued partial payments. Beneficiaries like Jim Malliard from Pennsylvania are experiencing severe food insecurity due to the lack of assistance, relying on minimal pantry supplies.

The Senate's approval of a bill to end the shutdown could facilitate the resumption of SNAP payments, which support 42 million Americans. However, it remains unclear how quickly benefits would return to normal levels. The ongoing legal disputes have highlighted the critical role of SNAP in ensuring food access for vulnerable populations.