SNAP Benefits Update: Trump Admin Suffers Setback in Lawsuit

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Dec 16, 2025 at 08:04 AM EST


A federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump's administration must give states more time to implement rules relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Newsweek contacted the White House via email outside of regular working hours for comment.

Why It Matters

SNAP is the largest anti-hunger program in the U.S., helping around 42 million low- and no-income Americans buy groceries. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, immediately reduced the pool of immigrants who can receive SNAP benefits, though states were given a grace period to begin implementing the changes.

On November 26, a coalition of 20 state attorneys general sued the Trump administration after it issued guidance on October 31 that would block SNAP benefits for refugees and asylum-seekers who have obtained legal status, and ordered states to comply with the guidance immediately or face steep fines.

When contacted by Newsweek to comment on the case, a spokesperson for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it does "not comment on pending litigation."

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/snap-benefits-update-trump-admin-suffers-setback-in-lawsuit-11218131

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REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143572760

[riversedge]

1. Taking away SNAP has to be one of the most cruel things Trump Adim has done.

[Bohunk68]

2. It isn't only SNAP.

It is also HEAP which is issued usually by the same agencies. Here in the Northeast, no monies yet, and the winter started early. Many of us retirees usually use the HEAP in October and November, sometimes until December. Then, to firewood. Well, many are using the firewood now because this has been a cold end of the year. Depleting the firewood usually available into March.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. PA was able to get the LIHEAP money finally

Pa. households can apply for heating bill assistance after monthlong delay

The article indicated that $3.7 billion was supposedly released the end of last month but I expect some states might still be waiting and/or are trying to get the application sites up for the season.

[choie]

4. NY received the funds.

[Bohunk68]

5. Not according to my local agency.

[choie]

6. Do you live in NY?

[Bohunk68]

7. Upstate near Albany.

Stopped in to the electric company to pay my bill. HEAP for me comes through them since, part of my heating system is electric. We used to have the cheapest rates around. I would use them through to December, and then firewood. Which I cut. However, this year with none, firewood started early, and after I spoke with the village office, HEAP has still not come through, nor have people been notified. Not even sure when and IF it will happen.

[choie]

8. Please see info at this link.

I don't know what's going on up there. Also, you can apply through your local Dept of Social Services. I assist people in applying for HEAP, and we've submitted several applications for HEAP already. Plus, SNAP recipients are starting to receive their HEAP allocation.

https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#regular-benefit