Massachusetts AG Campbell, Governor Healey, issue statements after judge rules President Trump must fully fund SNAP by certain date

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Governor Maura Healey today issued the following statements after a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump Administration to fully fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by Friday, November 7th. The Trump Administration has since appealed that ruling. 

“I am grateful that the Court has issued a swift and decisive order directing the federal government to fully fund the SNAP program. Even after the judge made the federal government’s legal obligations crystal clear, the Trump Administration continues to resist its responsibility to feed hungry people,” said AG Campbell. “The federal government has always had the money to fund this program, but instead of prioritizing the health and wellbeing American families including children and seniors, they choose to use it as political bargaining chip.”  

“Millions of American families have been going hungry because President Trump has been choosing not to fund SNAP,” said Governor Healey. “It shouldn’t take multiple court orders for the President to feed children, veterans, seniors and people with disabilities. The President needs to comply with this court order and fully fund SNAP immediately. Massachusetts is ready to get benefits to people ASAP.” 

About one in eight Americans rely on SNAP benefits to buy groceries and feed their families. In Massachusetts, nearly 60 percent of recipients are children and elders.  

This ruling comes after an attempt by the Trump Administration to only partially fund the SNAP program. AG Campbell co-led a separate lawsuit against the Trump Administration for suspending SNAP benefits.   

 The Department of Transitional Assistance will continue to provide updates to SNAP recipients. More information can be found at mass.gov/SNAPupdates. Information for how families facing hunger can get help and how to help your neighbors in need can be found at mass.gov/SNAPfreeze.