OLYMPIA – Following a federal court ruling requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, hundreds of thousands of Washington residents are receiving their overdue food assistance benefits for November. This development comes after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to cease withholding food benefits for low-income Americans. 

U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. criticized the Trump administration for allegedly withholding food assistance “for political reasons.” 

The judge's decision necessitated that the USDA provide full SNAP funding to approximately 42 million low-income Americans, including nearly 1 million residents of Washington state. Specifically, households scheduled to receive their monthly benefits between Nov. 1 and Nov. 7 are set to receive 100% of their November SNAP benefits. As of Monday, according to AP News, the Senate passed its funding bill to end the 41-day shutdown, which caused the lapse in SNAP benefits. The legislation is on its way to the House of Representatives.  

Governor Bob Ferguson expressed relief over the court's ruling. 

“Thanks to multiple lawsuits and repeated court orders, hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians across our state finally have the SNAP benefits they need to put food on the table. Shockingly, this administration continues to work to withhold food assistance from those who need it most,” he wrote in a statement. 

He urged President Donald Trump to prioritize the needs of hungry families and requested that the government reopen to assist these vulnerable populations. 

Despite the developments in SNAP funding, the future of these benefits remains uncertain, as the Trump Administration has sought to appeal the federal court’s ruling. The outcome of this appeal could further complicate food assistance access for Washingtonians, where statistics show that more than 500,000 households currently rely on SNAP. 

In rural areas of the state, the importance of SNAP cannot be overstated. For instance, in Grant County, more than 17% of residents depend on SNAP benefits. In Adams County, around 20% of people rely on the program, according to USDA data.  

However, community food banks are already facing historic demand exacerbated by rising food costs, placing a strain on local resources. The governor’s office reported that delays in food assistance have stressed Washington's food banks and pantries, leading to longer wait times and limited resources for those in need.  

Staff at the Othello Food Bank, Moses Lake Food Bank and Ephrata Food Bank have all stated they saw higher demand this month.  

In response to the ongoing challenges caused by the government shutdown, Ferguson directed $2.2 million in state funds to support Washington’s food banks. These funds aim to provide relief, particularly if SNAP funds are not restored quickly. Through the Emergency Food Assistance Program, the state has already distributed assistance to 41 regional agencies to support 470 food distribution sites statewide. 

Attorney General Nick Brown has filed a lawsuit against the USDA, arguing that the suspension of SNAP benefits was unlawful. Federal judges in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island have ruled in similar cases, directing the USDA to use contingency funds to ensure recipients receive full SNAP benefits promptly. 

During Senate discussions regarding the SNAP crisis, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said Washingtonians are in dire straits because of the situation.  

“Nearly 1 million Washingtonians receive SNAP benefits,” she said. “We’re talking about benefits that help them make ends meet.” She further pointed out that “more than 38% of SNAP participants are families with members who are older adults or disabled.” 

She said the program is essential for maintaining food security among vulnerable populations. 

“Every dollar spent on SNAP generates $1.54 of economic activity,” Cantwell said, emphasizing the program's significance not only for feeding families but also for stimulating the economy. 

Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., shared comparable concerns, underscoring the consequences felt by veterans.  

“1.2 million veterans rely on SNAP (nationwide),” she stated, highlighting how the funding issues have compelled veterans to turn to food banks. Murray stressed that “the money to fund SNAP exists.” 

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., said there is misinformation spreading about him and he does not support denying eligible Americans access to programs such as SNAP.  

“These are important programs that help many people and communities in Central Washington and cutting resources to those who rely on these programs is not the goal,” Newhouse wrote in a statement.  

However, Newhouse said he is focused on maintaining integrity in these programs and removing waste.  

“What is important in maintaining the integrity of these vital programs is that we identify and eliminate waste and abuse that has bloated federal spending beyond what is sustainable,” Newhouse wrote. “The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an astonishing report this month showing that agencies across the federal government made $162 BILLION in improper payments last year, and over half of those overpayments occurred in Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP.” 

The GAO identified 11.7% of SNAP disbursements in 2023 as inappropriate; however, that does not necessarily mean the payments constituted fraud. That also includes legitimate payments that were less than they should have been, more than they should have been, and other situations that were not fraudulent. In many cases, the errors were caused by clerical issues in claims processing.

Newhouse said he wants to continue discussions with a serious and honest approach to find a solution. 

“These numbers are unacceptable,” Newhouse said. “As a fiscal conservative serving on the House Appropriations Committee, I will be working hard to ensure we end this unsustainable practice and ensure these programs remain solvent for low-income families and our seniors who rely on them.”