Another federal judge orders Trump to fund SNAP. Could KYians see full benefits?
Editor’s Note: The Trump administration on Friday asked an appeals court to halt an order requiring the federal government to fund November SNAP benefits in full. The administration has asked the federal court to allow it to distribute partial payments for the month.
The administration later said it would fund SNAP benefits in full for November.
A federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump to fully fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits by Friday, potentially expediting the benefits relied upon by nearly 600,000 Kentuckians.
The news comes after two separate federal rulings Oct. 31 ordering the administration to fund SNAP during the federal government shutdown. Monday, the president said his administration would only partially fund the food assistance program.
The future distribution of SNAP benefits has been in limbo as the nation grapples with its longest federal government shutdown in history. After previously blaming Democrats for the lapse in funding, the president is now urging his own party to act to end the shutdown.
In response to the termination of benefits, which began Nov. 1 when electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, cards were not loaded as usual for the start of the month. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ordered $5 million from the state’s “rainy day” fund released to boost food banks across the commonwealth’s 120 counties.
State officials have repeatedly said publicly they await action from the federal government to release SNAP funds as ordered on Halloween, allowing the state to execute distribution.
An inquiry to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services regarding the ruling late Thursday afternoon was not immediately returned, but a spokesperson said earlier this week the agency intends to distribute benefits “as quickly as possible.”
In addition to the uncertainty surrounding food benefits for people with low incomes, the month-long shutdown is now expected to affect flights in 40 of the busiest airports in the U.S.
Beshear reported earlier this week he would send National Guard troops out to staff food banks in Kentucky as residents search for resources to get by without SNAP.
Increased food bank services may still be needed for a while, as SNAP benefit distribution may be delayed.
This story was originally published November 6, 2025 at 5:38 PM.
