The US Department of Agriculture told states to immediately reverse any steps to send full SNAP benefits after the supreme court paused a lower court order that had required the payments during the shutdown’s 40th day. The USDA warned states that any November distributions under the earlier ruling are “unauthorized” and could trigger penalties. The abrupt shift sowed confusion as some recipients had already seen funds. Democratic governors in Wisconsin, Oregon, and Massachusetts vowed to proceed or defend payouts, while Republican senator Lisa Murkowski questioned penalizing states using their own money.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.