USDA Moves to Partially Fund November SNAP Using $4.65B Contingency Fund After Court Order

On Nov. 3, 2025, the Trump administration told a federal court it would use a $4.65 billion SNAP contingency fund to partially cover November food stamp benefits — roughly 50% of the ~$9.3 billion needed — after a judge ordered full payment. USDA resisted redirecting $4 billion from child nutrition programs (school lunch/breakfast) to cover the shortfall, warning Congress could not guarantee replenishment of those funds.