SNAP Funding Conditions Halted
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Effort to Condition States' SNAP Funding Access
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A federal judge in Boston blocked the Trump administration on June 5, 2026 from forcing states to meet new conditions to receive SNAP food aid funding, according to AP News. U.S. District Judge Myong Joun granted a preliminary injunction, ruling the conditions were likely "unlawful" and "arbitrary."
The ruling protects roughly 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP — about 1 in 9 people — from losing benefits because their state refused to comply, Newsday reported. The injunction applies nationwide.
What Conditions the USDA Tried to Impose
The U.S. Department of Agriculture attached sweeping new requirements to its 2026 funding terms, according to Courthouse News. States had to certify they were not running programs that "promote gender ideology." They also had to restrict women's sports to biological females. If they refused, they risked losing billions in food aid funding.
States were also required to hand over SNAP recipients' names, Social Security numbers, and immigration status to federal officials, WBAL reported. The administration said the data-sharing rule was needed to "eliminate fraud." Critics called it a threat to vulnerable immigrant families.
21 States Sue, Calling It Unconstitutional Coercion
A coalition of 21 Democratic-led states and Washington D.C. filed the lawsuit in March 2026, led by New York AG Letitia James and Massachusetts AG Andrea Joy Campbell. James said the administration was "holding critical funding hostage" to push a political agenda, according to Courthouse News.
Campbell argued the USDA had thrown "unconstitutional roadblocks" between programs and the families that need them. States argued the conditions violated the U.S. Constitution's Spending Clause, which bars the federal government from using money to coerce states on unrelated policy matters.
One Big Beautiful Bill Already Cut Millions From Rolls
The court fight comes after Congress passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act in July 2025. That law tightened SNAP work requirements, expanding them in February 2026 to include adults ages 55 to 64 and parents of children over 14, according to ABC 7 Chicago. SNAP enrollment fell by 4.3 million people in the 12 months before January 2026, Newsday reported.
The same law will force states to pay 75% of SNAP administrative costs starting October 2026, up from the current 50%, according to an NCSL analysis. States are already bracing for major budget gaps. The funding conditions the judge just blocked would have added even more pressure.
Administration Defends Rules as Taxpayer Protection
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has defended the new terms as necessary to ensure "stewardship of taxpayer dollars." USDA lawyers argued in court that the conditions strengthen "control and oversight of obligated funds," according to Newsday. The administration said they enforce federal non-discrimination law.
The injunction is temporary. The case will continue in court, and the administration is expected to appeal. For now, states do not have to comply with the contested conditions to keep SNAP funding flowing to the roughly 39 million Americans who use the program each month.
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