The Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration's emergency appeal to temporarily halt a federal court order for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits to be funded in full, stated reporting from the Associated Press on Nov. 7, 2025.
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson paused the order for benefits to be paid in full after a Boston appeals court declined to immediately intervene, allowing more time for the appeals court to consider the legal arguments of the case, reported the AP.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is required to instruct its SNAP EBT vendor to pause SNAP benefit payments to comply with the court ruling, said a statement released by MDHHS on Nov. 8, 2025.
On Nov. 6, 2025, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered that the Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service must fully fund SNAP benefits for the month of November by Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. In response, MDHHS directed its SNAP EBT vendor to issue full benefits to Michigan recipients as soon as funding is received, a statement from MDHHS said. A statement from MDHHS said that the department had begun sending full November benefits following the previous court order.
"We are disappointed by the federal government's continued efforts to prevent SNAP benefits from reaching the Michigan residents who rely on them," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, in a press release. "Taking this matter all the way to the Supreme Court creates uncertainty, confusion, and frustration. Worse than that, it punishes the more than one million Michigan residents who qualify for and rely on their benefits to put food on the table."
Food and clothing items free to residents sit in the lobby of SOS Community Services, one of the local food pantries filling in the gaps left by delayed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits during the federal government shutdown.
On Nov. 1, 2025, funding for SNAP benefits was frozen indefinitely following the federal shutdown. Approximately 1.4 million Michiganders receive SNAP benefits, MDHHS reported.
While food pantries across the state offer some relief for the 13% of Michigan households that receive SNAP benefits, as well as anyone else in need of aid, the impact of the food assistance program reaches beyond those who qualify for it.
"SNAP has a broad reach. It doesn't just affect those who receive aid, but it also stimulates the economy," said Colton Ray, a second-year graduate student and graduate assistant for Swoop's Pantry, Eastern Michigan University's campus food pantry. "When SNAP benefits are cut, it makes the job of food pantries a lot harder."
Squash and other food items sit in the lobby of Ypsilanti's SOS Community Services, one of the local food pantries filling in the gaps left by delayed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits during the federal government shutdown.
Ypsilanti community members are feeling the strain of SNAP benefit delays.
"I can't laugh or cry; I'm kind of numb," said Ypsilanti city resident Susan, a SNAP recipient who declined to share her full name out of fear that information she shared about the benefits she receives could be used against her.
Susan identified herself as an EMU alumna. With SNAP benefits delayed, Susan has been relying on local food pantries for groceries.
"Things are really lean right now, all around," she said.
Susan said the government's handling of the shutdown and the consequence to community members who rely on services like SNAP has been frustrating.
"All these games the government is playing — it's maddening," Susan said. "You shouldn't be holding food hostage; it's a human right."
She added that she is concerned about parents, who may opt to skip meals in order to feed their children. Susan said she has cats at home and has resorted to feeding them canned chicken and tuna from food pantries.
Those who qualify for SNAP benefits should reach out to their local MDHHS office with any questions regarding food assistance that they may have and can continue checking MI Bridges for updates.
This is a developing story. Check back with The Eastern Echo for updates.
Editor's note: This story and headline has been updated on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 at 10:35 p.m. to include an update that the Supreme Court has temporarily granted the Trump administration's appeal to block a court order requiring full funding of benefits. This story and headline was updated at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 to include a statement from the Department of Michigan Health and Human Services.
