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A federal judge in Boston will hear a bid to require the Trump administration to keep SNAP benefits flowing during the shutdown, two days before USDA plans to freeze payments. Democratic officials from 25 states and the District of Columbia say contingency funds — about $5 billion and another $23 billion — must be used to sustain the $8 billion a month program serving roughly 1 in 8 Americans. They warn of harm to families, retailers, and Thanksgiving inventories. Government lawyers cite the Antideficiency Act and limited funds, saying allocation choices belong to the agency.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.