States Sue Trump Admin To Try To Stop Suspension Of Food Stamps

Massachusetts and 24 other states sued the Trump administration to ensure continued SNAP funding despite potential Congressional inaction. The lawsuit argues that the USDA has existing funds to maintain SNAP benefits for eligible households. Officials assert the USDA's directive to states not to issue SNAP benefits is illegal. The lawsuit seeks a court order to compel the USDA to furnish benefits as calculated by state agencies for November. The USDA cited a lack of new funding from Congress as its reason for halting SNAP benefit issuance. Separately, food stamp recipients filed a class-action lawsuit in New York over the termination of a waiver for work requirements. The USDA altered waiver requirements, mandating a higher unemployment rate for exemption. Plaintiffs claim this violates the Administrative Procedure Act due to its arbitrary nature. They seek to block the USDA from terminating the waiver, which could impact around 100,000 SNAP recipients in New York City.