BOSTON, Massachusetts — An Obama-appointed federal judge in Boston voiced strong doubts on Thursday about the Trump administration's decision not to utilize emergency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), signaling she may soon issue a ruling to prevent the suspension of food benefits for tens of millions of Americans amid the ongoing 30-day government shutdown. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, presiding over a lawsuit brought by Democrats and a coalition of states, challenged the administration's stance during the hearing, according to Politico. "Congress has put money in an emergency fund for an emergency and it’s hard for me to understand how this isn’t an emergency when there’s no money," Talwani said, as reported by CNN. She added that Congress's intent was clear: "to protect the American people," emphasizing the program's role in safeguarding vulnerable families from food insecurity. The shutdown, now in its 30th day, has left over 1 million federal workers without pay and heightened risks for low-income households reliant on SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. According to USA Today, the impasse stems from partisan disputes, with Republicans advocating for full-year funding packages that include SNAP provisions, while Democrats have blocked progress over disagreements on health care subsidies. Without intervention, benefits could pause as early as November 1, affecting approximately 42 million recipients, per Fox News. Talwani indicated she would deliver a quick emergency decision, potentially compelling the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to tap into a $5 billion to $6 billion emergency reserve fund designed for such crises, according to WCVB. However, even if funds are released, experts warn of potential delays due to logistical challenges in USDA and state systems, which could lead to partial or late payments in November, as noted by CNN. The USDA's current contingency reserves are insufficient to cover full benefits without additional resources. The lawsuit, filed by a 25-state coalition in Massachusetts federal court, seeks to block the administration from halting SNAP payments, according to NBC Boston. States like New York have already declared emergencies in response to the funding shortfall, with Governor Kathy Hochul taking action to mitigate impacts on residents, per Newsweek. According to the Washington Post, the administration's argument that the shutdown does not qualify as an emergency warranting the use of reserved funds, was a position Talwani appeared to reject. A ruling is expected later Thursday, which could provide temporary relief but does not resolve the underlying shutdown. Florida residents relying on SNAP may experience disruptions in their November benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, according to an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families. "If the federal government shutdown continues into November, SNAP benefits for the month of November will not be issued until federal funding is restored," the Department stated in an official notice. Recipients might still receive notifications about their eligible benefit amounts, but no funds will be deposited onto Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards during this period. SIMILAR STORIES Food Stamp Ban On Junk Food Could Impact 2.7 Million In Florida