Gov. Walz Orders Full November SNAP Benefits Restored for 440,000 Minnesotans After Court Order Amid Federal Shutdown Uncertainty

ST. PAUL, MN — Governor Tim Walz announced on Saturday that full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments for approximately 440,000 Minnesotans have been restored, following a week of uncertainty caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown and legal battles over the release of funds.

The announcement came after a U.S. District Court in Rhode Island ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fully fund November SNAP benefits using available contingency resources. The decision overturned earlier federal guidance under the Trump administration, which initially indicated that November food assistance payments would not be issued due to the prolonged shutdown.

“November SNAP benefits in Minnesota have been restored. We will not let Minnesotans go hungry,” Governor Walz said in a social media statement.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joined other state attorneys general in legal efforts to unfreeze the federal nutrition funds. “Restoring this funding took numerous court rulings ordering the Trump administration to use the money they have set aside—for this very purpose—to feed the hungry,” Walz added.

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) confirmed that it began issuing the full November benefits on Friday, with most recipients expected to see the funds on their EBT cards over the weekend. The department said the action was taken to “protect Minnesotans during this period of uncertainty around future court decisions.”

However, the situation at the national level remains in flux. Late Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily paused the lower court’s order to allow an appeals court to consider the matter, and the USDA subsequently issued new guidance instructing states to halt or undo the release of full benefits. Minnesota officials said there is no mechanism to reclaim funds once distributed and called the idea of taking food assistance back from families “unjust.”

Advocates and local food shelves reported an uptick in demand during the funding delay, underscoring the critical role of SNAP benefits for low-income households across Minnesota.

As legal proceedings continue, state officials have pledged to coordinate with federal partners to ensure uninterrupted access to food for vulnerable Minnesotans.

MinneapoliMedia