Top takeaway: 440,000 Minnesotans (over one-third of whom are children) lost access to essential food assistance November 1 as the Trump-Vance administration refuses to release SNAP funds, which is equivalent to about 8 percent of the state’s population.
The latest: States begin to distribute SNAP funds, then are told by USDA to undo any steps taken to distribute those funds.
Take Action
Right now, food shelves and food banks need your help to face the increased need. Please consider reaching out to your local food shelf or food bank to see how to best help by either signing up for a volunteer shift or by making a donation.
Contact your representatives to urge them to fully fund SNAP benefits using Second Harvest Heartland’s letter template.
November 10: On October 31, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to immediately provide emergency funds to continue SNAP benefits. When the Administration refused to distribute federal funds in a timely manner and insisted on only providing partial funding, the federal judge again ordered the administration on November 6 to provide full SNAP benefits to ensure millions of Americans would not go hungry while the case proceeds.
The lower court’s decision was upheld on November 7 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit after the Trump administration appealed. Before the Circuit Court could issue a written opinion, however, the Trump administration filed an emergency motion to the U.S. Supreme Court, which granted over the weekend, a temporary pause on the lower court’s order for 48 hours after the appeals court issued its ruling. Late last night, the Circuit Court did so–again, directing the administration to provide full SNAP benefits.
Per the Supreme Court, however, the directive to provide full SNAP benefits is stayed for 48 hours. We should know by 11:00 a.m. November 10 whether the Trump Administration will again appeal to the Supreme Court, where the prospects for the litigation are uncertain.
Meanwhile, states have issued partial or full payments. On November 7, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) issued full November SNAP benefits for approximately 440,000 Minnesotans, based on guidance they received from the USDA. On Saturday night, the USDA sent out a memo requiring states to “undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025.” Minnesota does not have any mechanism for taking money back from SNAP recipients. DCYF is evaluating USDA’s updated guidance, and it will share any updates on its website.
November 3: Today, the Trump Administration informed the court that it plans to use the full contingency fund to provide partial payments to states administering SNAP. The National Council of Nonprofits issued a press statement, stating that “today’s announcement is an important first step, but it’s not enough. Millions of families, children, and seniors remain at risk of delayed or reduced food assistance. The federal government must act urgently to ensure every person who relies on SNAP receives their full benefits.”
Because of logistical delays, there will be a gap before households receive SNAP benefits. During this time, nonprofit food banks, food pantries, and other organizations will continue to step up to help address urgent needs in their communities.
October 31: The federal court in Rhode Island held an emergency hearing Friday, October 31 where the Judge issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), providing urgent relief to 42 million Americans who were at risk of losing access to food assistance.
In the court order, the judge held that the Administration must use a $6 billion contingency fund to provide SNAP benefits. The contingency fund was expressly created by Congress to continue SNAP benefits in an emergency, such as a government shutdown. “There is no question that the congressionally approved contingency funds must be used now because of the shutdown,” said Judge McConnell.
The judge gave the Trump administration two options: either USDA could fully fund November’s SNAP benefits by Monday, November 3 using the contingency fund and additional monies; or USDA could provide partial SNAP benefits for November using only the contingency fund, in which case, payments would have to be made by Wednesday, November 5. By Monday, November 3 at 12pm, the federal government must report back to the federal court, outlining the steps it is taking to comply with the order.
Given this timeline, there will be at least some gap in time before SNAP benefits reach households. After the federal government releases the funds, each state uses a separate process to distribute SNAP benefits. Some states distribute benefits to all SNAP households in the first 3 days of the month, while others distribute benefits across several weeks. You can find information on how Minnesota distributes SNAP benefits here.
In a Sunday political show, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the Administration will not appeal the court ruling.
October 30: With the second longest ever recorded federal government shutdown now in its fourth week, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP) will cease November 1, putting 440,000 Minnesotans at risk of going hungry, including 152,000 children, 72,000 seniors, and 52,000 adults with disabilities. The total loss of federal funding to Minnesota nutrition programs is $73 million a month.
Emergency funding in Minnesota
On Monday, October 27, Governor Walz announced $4 million one-time emergency funding for food shelves as local nonprofit groups are already strained from increased need. “The gap that the governor is announcing, $4 million, that’s remarkably generous, but it’s not enough,” said Jason Viana, executive director of The Open Door Pantry to MPR News. “If the shutdown is brief, it will help us fill the gap but if the shutdown continues, it will not be enough.” $4 million is approximately 5 percent of what Minnesota typically receives in federal funding for nutrition programs each month.
New litigation to protect access
On Tuesday, October 28, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of 22 AGs and three governors sued the Trump-Vance Administration for illegally suspending SNAP benefits. The coalition is also seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) from halting SNAP funding while this lawsuit proceeds.
And on Thursday, October 30, a national coalition including the National Council of Nonprofits, community- and faith-based nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and workers’ rights organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the unlawful suspension of SNAP.
Nonprofits cannot make up the difference
When families lose access to food assistance, they turn to trusted community organizations like food shelves. While nonprofits are expected to fill service gaps, these gaps are enormous, and nonprofits have already been stretched thin.
In MCN’s 2025 Current Conditions of Minnesota Nonprofits report, 70 percent of responding nonprofits reported an increase in demand for services over the past year. At the same time, a record 82 percent reported that business expenses have increased, while 53 percent reported a decrease in grants from foundations, 46 percent reported a decrease in government funds, and 35 percent reported a decrease in individual giving. Anecdotally, food shelves across the state are already reporting increased demand for food and strain on volunteer and program operations in light of the November 1 deadline. It is impossible for the nonprofit sector to replace the scale, reach, or guarantee of these federal basic needs programs.
Take action
Contact your legislators to urge them to take immediate action to ensure SNAP benefits are issued in full for November. Use the Food Group’s email template to send a message directly.
The only way to end the government shutdown and protect SNAP benefits is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work. You can act by contacting your members of Congress. Use the National Council of Nonprofit’s email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government and protect SNAP benefits.