New court order protects states from millions of dollars in SNAP penalties

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A recent court order will prevent the federal government from issuing millions of dollars in fines to states over their distribution of food assistance benefits.

On Nov. 26, New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over efforts to cut off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for lawful permanent residents.

The federal government’s guidance to block benefits for lawful permanent residents, who are legally entitled to SNAP benefits, included language to impose hefty monetary fines on states that did not adhere to the order.

“The federal government’s shameful quest to take food away from children and families continues,” said James said at the time. “USDA has no authority to arbitrarily cut entire groups of people out of the SNAP program, and no one should go hungry because of the circumstances of their arrival to this country. My office will always fight to protect Americans’ SNAP benefits, and I will do everything in my power to shield New Yorkers from this unlawful policy.”

Last week, the administration reversed course and issued new guidance confirming that lawful permanent residents, including former refugees and asylees, remain eligible for SNAP benefits.

Despite the change, the federal government still threatened states with millions of dollars in fines.

The administration claimed states had missed a required grace period for implementing the new guidance, even though the latest guidance had been issued just days earlier and federal rules require a grace period of 120 days.

In response, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon issued an order temporarily blocking the federal government from issuing such fines while the case proceeds.

“Our most vulnerable residents rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Despite the federal government’s best efforts to make it more difficult for food assistance to reach those in need, today’s decision ensures New York’s SNAP program can continue running without interruption. I am grateful to the court for recognizing the urgency of this matter, especially this holiday season,” said James.