A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court has halted the distribution of full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to many Coloradans. Before the Supreme Court’s intervention, approximately 32,000 Coloradans received their full food assistance payments for November. This was a crucial lifeline for many during the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has frozen vital funding.
Governor Jared Polis announced that while Colorado officials had been prepared to continue issuing full payments, they are now unable to do so. In a statement, he confirmed that no refunds will be provided to those who received the full benefits prior to the Supreme Court’s decision. The governor emphasized, “The state has not reversed those payments as they were allowed at the time.”
The legal tug-of-war began when the Trump administration requested the Supreme Court to block a lower court ruling that mandated the continuation of full SNAP benefits. This program serves over 600,000 residents in Colorado, including a significant number of children, and relies on $120 million in federal funding. With that funding currently frozen, many families face uncertainty regarding their food security.
Earlier this month, nonprofits and Democratic attorneys general launched a lawsuit aiming to compel the administration to sustain the SNAP program despite the shutdown. They achieved favorable rulings, which initially allowed for the rapid disbursement of benefits across several states. However, late on a Friday evening, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary pause on these rulings while the Supreme Court deliberates the administration’s appeal.
Following this development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture warned state SNAP directors that payments made under previous court orders were now deemed “unauthorized.” In a memo, Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary of Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services at the USDA, instructed states to retract any full SNAP payments issued for November.
As a result, Colorado officials are now working to implement a distribution of only 65% of the normal benefits for the remaining eligible residents. This adjustment is expected to leave many families without sufficient funds for the month ahead. The USDA memo indicated that states could face penalties if they fail to comply with the new directive, although it remains unclear whether this applies to those using their resources to maintain the program.
The abrupt change in policy has drawn criticism from various quarters. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska described the directive as “shocking,” particularly for states that have utilized their own funds to support the program. “It’s one thing if the federal government is going to continue its level of appeal through the courts,” she stated, “but when you are telling the states that have said this is a significant enough issue in our state, those states should not be penalized.”
Governor Polis reiterated that the federal government has the capacity to fully fund the SNAP program but has chosen not to do so. He called for the administration to withdraw its appeals as the quickest resolution to the ongoing confusion surrounding SNAP benefits.
The situation remains fluid as state officials and advocacy groups navigate the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision. The USDA did not respond to requests for comment regarding the evolving circumstances.
As the month progresses, many families in Colorado and beyond will be closely monitoring the outcome of this legal battle, as the need for food assistance continues to grow amid economic uncertainties.
