U.S. Drops Appeal in Rhode Island SNAP Case Amid Lawsuit

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) following a decision by the Boston’s First Circuit Court of Appeals to dismiss the Trump administration’s appeal. This ruling stems from a November 6, 2023, order by a Rhode Island judge, which mandated full funding for SNAP during the recent federal government shutdown.

The administration itself prompted the appeal’s withdrawal, as indicated in the two-page judgment released by the court. A spokesperson for the USDA refrained from commenting on the matter, citing ongoing litigation involving the case of Rhode Island State Council of Churches v. Brooke Rollins, currently overseen by Chief Judge John J. McConnell in Providence. The U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for further information.

The 43-day federal government shutdown concluded on November 12, 2023. Prior to the president signing a legislative package that ended the shutdown, the USDA had assured that federal food benefits would resume within 24 hours. The administration subsequently withdrew its request for the U.S. Supreme Court to halt Judge McConnell’s order for full SNAP payments.

According to Amahree Archie, Press Secretary for Democracy Forward, which represents several plaintiffs in the case, the dismissal was a direct result of the government reopening. Nevertheless, the overall lawsuit against the administration remains active. Attorney Kevin Love Hubbard, representing the plaintiffs from the Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island, explained that the lawsuit challenges attempts to revoke waivers for existing SNAP recipients concerning new work requirements mandated under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

On October 31, 2023, Judge McConnell issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) that required all previously granted work requirement waivers to remain valid post-termination. These waivers had allowed states to demonstrate to the USDA that certain regions lacked adequate job opportunities, thus exempting individuals from work requirements for food assistance. The lawsuit specifically highlights that the cities of Providence, Central Falls, and Pawtucket received waivers in March 2025, valid until February 28, 2026.

“We are currently in a position where the existing TRO remains in effect regarding the waivers question as the federal government decides its next steps,” Hubbard stated. “The key issue is whether they will continue to litigate to persuade Judge McConnell against granting permanent relief on this matter.”

During the shutdown, the Trump administration opted not to utilize contingency funds to sustain SNAP benefits. Following the lawsuit filed by a coalition of communities and nonprofits, Judge McConnell provided two options to the federal government: cover partial benefits using a $5.5 billion contingency fund or fund a full month of benefits through additional revenue sources, such as the Child Nutrition Program. Initially, the USDA selected the latter option, but McConnell later clarified the order to require full program funding, prompting the administration’s appeal.

The legislative package that ultimately reopened the federal government fully funds SNAP alongside children’s nutrition programs, which include subsidized school breakfast and lunch, as well as food availability during summer school breaks.

In addition to the three Rhode Island cities, the lawsuit encompasses national organizations and cities such as Baltimore, Columbus (Ohio), Durham (North Carolina), New Haven (Connecticut), and Albuquerque (New Mexico). Local organizations involved in the lawsuit include the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport, East Bay Community Action Program, United Way of Rhode Island, Federal Hill House Association, and Amos House.

This article is based on reporting from Rhode Island Current, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and donations.