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President Donald Trump’s administration returned to the Supreme Court seeking to keep full SNAP payments frozen during the shutdown, despite lower-court orders to continue them. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson paused a judge’s full-funding order, and a ruling is expected Tuesday, leaving states and recipients in limbo. Some states briefly disbursed full benefits, others issued partial aid or waited for USDA guidance. As courts weighed the case, families like Brandi Johnson’s in St. Louis rationed food, while states faced reimbursement freezes and some stores turned away cardholders amid shifting directives.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.