What's happening with SNAP in Massachusetts? Gov. Healey says in update that benefits are "fully funded."
Gov. Maura Healey said Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Massachusetts are "fully funded" as the legal battle over food stamps continues.
Eligible Massachusetts residents started to receive delayed SNAP benefits on their cards Saturday morning. Healey said those funds were processed before a Supreme Court order Friday night that froze a lower court's directive to the Trump administration to provide full SNAP payments to millions of Americans.
"As of this morning, I'm happy to report that those SNAP benefits have been fully funded," Healey said at a news conference Monday.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture told states Saturday night that any full SNAP payments sent to recipients for the month of November were "unauthorized."
"Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025," USDA deputy undersecretary Patrick Penn wrote in the memo to state SNAP directors.
Healey said Massachusetts residents with funds on their cards should continue to spend it on food. About 1.1 million people in the state receive SNAP benefits.
"My message to every SNAP recipient out there is this: Forget the noise that you're hearing from Donald Trump, forget the noise about further appeals to the Supreme Court," Healey said. "Your SNAP benefits have been restored to your cards. Go out and buy the food that you need to feed your family."
Attorney General Andrea Campbell said Monday that Massachusetts is one of 22 states that sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the Trump administration from taking back funds that have already been distributed via SNAP. She said a judge granted the temporary restraining order, and a hearing is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Monday.
"As of right now, they have no legal authority to try and claw back these funds," Campbell told reporters.