The Trump administration SNAP benefits cut order has directed U.S. states to stop issuing full food aid to low-income families, calling the payments “unauthorized.” The move affects millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps.

According to a memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), states can now issue only 65% of benefits following a Supreme Court decision that allows the government to withhold part of the program’s funding until further hearings take place.

Millions Facing Reduced Food Assistance

SNAP provides essential food support to more than 42 million Americans. However, many recipients began receiving partial payments this month due to the ongoing government shutdown. Some states had continued to pay full benefits after a lower court temporarily ordered the administration to restore complete funding.

The USDA’s new directive reverses that decision. States have been told to “immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025” and to recover any extra payments already distributed. The memo warned that states failing to comply could lose federal administrative funds and may be held responsible for overpayments.

The latest guidance deepens the funding conflict between federal officials and several state governments. On Friday, the USDA said it was working to issue full benefits using emergency funds to comply with a lower court ruling. Later that evening, the Supreme Court paused the order, allowing the administration to proceed with reduced funding.

States Push Back Against Federal Directive

Several states, including New York, Massachusetts, California, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, had begun paying full benefits before the Supreme Court’s ruling. Some governors are now resisting the order to scale back payments.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said his response to the federal demand was a firm “no.” Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey criticized the decision, saying her administration would not allow families to go hungry. She added that Massachusetts would defend its actions in court.

The Trump administration SNAP benefits cut has intensified the debate over food security during the longest U.S. government shutdown in history. The Supreme Court’s emergency order permits the administration to withhold about $4 billion in aid while appeals continue.

SNAP supports roughly one in eight Americans and costs around $9 billion a month. A family of four typically receives about $715 per month, or just under $6 per person per day. With payments now reduced, millions face growing uncertainty about how to put food on the table.