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The Trump administration announced Sunday it will comply with a federal court order requiring the resumption of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, with payments potentially beginning as soon as Wednesday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that President Donald Trump has directed the Treasury Department to work with the courts to determine the appropriate funding mechanism to deliver the aid.
The move comes after a U.S. judge ordered the administration to restore food aid for millions of low-income Americans following a legal challenge over the suspension of emergency SNAP disbursements. The court found that the administration is required by law to continue the benefits under existing emergency authorities, contradicting earlier guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that claimed it lacked the authority to do so without additional congressional action.
Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Bessent said the administration is reviewing the court’s instructions to ensure compliance. When asked whether payments could begin by Wednesday as ordered, he responded, “Could be,” signaling that Treasury officials believe the timeline is achievable.
Bessent also confirmed that the Trump administration will not appeal the judge’s decision, effectively clearing the way for SNAP benefits to resume. The decision not to challenge the ruling represents a significant development in a case that has major implications for how federal emergency food aid is funded during government shutdowns or budget disputes.
Under the court’s order, the USDA must process and release partial SNAP payments while a broader funding solution is finalized. Millions of Americans rely on SNAP to cover essential food costs, and the delay in payments caused widespread concern among families and grocers alike.
The ruling clarifies that the federal government can lawfully use existing emergency funding mechanisms—such as contingency reserves or reallocation of unspent funds—to maintain SNAP distributions during lapses in appropriations. The court emphasized that the USDA’s earlier position was inconsistent with statutory requirements, effectively rebuking the agency’s prior interpretation.
With the administration’s decision not to appeal, federal agencies are now focused on executing the court’s order and ensuring payments reach recipients by midweek.
