Federal agriculture officials ordered states Sunday to reverse food assistance payments distributed last week following judicial mandates, declaring the disbursements unauthorized. Patrick Penn, a senior Agriculture Department administrator, instructed states to retract complete November 2025 benefits issued under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program after the Supreme Court suspended a Rhode Island ruling that required full funding.
The department directed states to provide only the 35 percent reduced allocation outlined in early November guidance and cautioned that noncompliance could result in financial liability or budget reductions. Approximately two dozen states warned of significant administrative disruption without federal reimbursement for benefits already distributed before the Supreme Court intervention. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy encouraged residents to continue using allocated funds while promising legal action if the administration attempts recovery.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued Friday's order permitting the government to halt full benefit distribution pending appellate review. State agencies received four conflicting directives within one week regarding program administration.
The department directed states to provide only the 35 percent reduced allocation outlined in early November guidance and cautioned that noncompliance could result in financial liability or budget reductions. Approximately two dozen states warned of significant administrative disruption without federal reimbursement for benefits already distributed before the Supreme Court intervention. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy encouraged residents to continue using allocated funds while promising legal action if the administration attempts recovery.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued Friday's order permitting the government to halt full benefit distribution pending appellate review. State agencies received four conflicting directives within one week regarding program administration.
