Federal Court Blocks Federal Administration’s Attempt to Cut Off Food Assistance for 42 Million People in America

NYLAG and nationwide coalition win Temporary Restraining Order in lawsuit challenging unlawful suspension of November SNAP benefits and premature termination of work requirement waivers

Providence, R.I. - A federal court today granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump-Vance administration's unlawful effort to halt the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown. The decision ensures that millions of children, seniors, veterans, and families will continue to receive essential food assistance while the case proceeds. New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) was among the named plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

The ruling from the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island comes after a nationwide coalition of local governments, charitable, legal, and faith-based nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and workers' rights organizations filed suit against the administration's decision to suspend the program and terminate work requirement waivers in areas with few jobs. The court found that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claims that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) acted without lawful authority in refusing to use available funds to sustain SNAP. It also found that the abrupt cancellation of long-standing work-requirement waivers in areas with persistent unemployment, which was done without notice, justification, or statutory authority, is unlawful. 

The administration's actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and federal appropriations law by disregarding Congress's direction that SNAP must continue operating. Together, these actions unlawfully deny food assistance to millions and threaten the stability of local economies that rely on SNAP transactions.

Plaintiffs include municipalities: City of Albuquerque, New Mexico; City of Baltimore, Maryland; City of Central Falls, Rhode Island; City of Columbus, Ohio; City of Durham, North Carolina; City of New Haven, Connecticut; City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; City of Providence, Rhode Island; charitable and faith-based nonprofit organizations: Rhode Island State Council of Churches; Amos House; East Bay Community Action Program; Federal Hill House Association; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center; The Milagros Project; the National Council of Nonprofits (NCN); New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG); United Way of Rhode Island; business and union organizations: Main Street Alliance; Black Sheep Market in Greenville, South Carolina; and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Democracy Forward and the Lawyers' Committee for Rhode Island represent the plaintiffs.

The coalition of plaintiffs issued the following joint statement:

"Today's ruling is a lifeline for millions of families, seniors, and veterans who depend on SNAP to put food on the table. It reaffirms a fundamental principle: no administration can use hunger as a political weapon. This victory is about more than one program-it's about the American values of fairness, compassion, and accountability that hold our democracy together.

Our coalition represents communities on the frontlines of the hunger crisis. We came together because we refuse to accept a government that turns its back on people in need. We will keep fighting to ensure that federal programs serve their lawful purpose-to help, not harm people and communities."

The case is Rhode Island State Council of Churches v. Rollins.

Read the lawsuit here and the motion for temporary restraining order here.

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