The Trump administration is urging states to reverse the distribution of full SNAP food benefits following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to stay recent court orders. This development is the latest twist in a legal battle over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports 42 million Americans.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s demand comes as over two dozen states express concerns about potential disruptions if they are not reimbursed for the SNAP benefits they provided before the Supreme Court’s intervention. Non-profits and Democratic attorneys general had sued the administration in November to maintain the program, leading to recent court victories and the rapid issuance of benefits in multiple states.

Even before securing the stay from the Supreme Court, the Trump administration had resisted reimbursing states for the initial round of SNAP payments. For instance, Wisconsin faces financial strain after loading benefits onto cards for 700,000 residents, with the state warning of potential money shortages by Monday due to frozen reimbursements from the U.S. Treasury.

States have cautioned that the lack of funds could result in unpaid vendors and legal disputes, potentially leading to demands for significant financial returns. This situation could cause severe operational disruptions and harm residents, according to a filing with the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

In response, the Department of Agriculture informed states that any payments made were now considered unauthorized. States were instructed to retract any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025. Governor Evers of Wisconsin promptly rejected the administration’s demand, citing the state’s compliance with a court order to provide essential food assistance to its residents.

The Trump administration’s failure to implement full SNAP benefits as promised has left states grappling with financial uncertainties and the looming threat of further legal challenges.