(WNY News Now) – New York Attorney General Letitia James, joined by 25 other states, is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to block the federal government’s latest effort to reduce Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions of Americans.

NEW YORK – Attorney General Letitia James announced that she and a coalition of 25 states have filed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject the federal government’s attempt to stay a lower court order requiring full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments.

The coalition’s brief argues that the federal government’s effort to block the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island’s ruling would unlawfully deny tens of millions of Americans the food assistance they are entitled to under federal law. The court had ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release full SNAP benefits for November, citing the government’s legal obligation to do so.

“This administration has shown that it will stop at nothing to illegally cut off the assistance that more than 40 million Americans rely on to put food on the table,” said Attorney General James. “I will continue to fight this administration’s heartless attempts to deny families in New York and nationwide the SNAP benefits they are owed.”

The brief emphasizes that granting the stay would create confusion for state agencies administering the program and harm low-income households who depend on SNAP. According to the coalition, withholding full benefits could lead to food insecurity, health problems, and disruptions in children’s education.

On November 6, the Rhode Island court ordered USDA to release full SNAP benefits immediately. The following day, USDA informed states that funding would soon be available, prompting several—including New York—to begin processing payments. Later that evening, however, the federal government sought a temporary administrative stay from the Supreme Court, halting the process.

On November 8, USDA issued a new memo reversing its earlier stance, declaring that the release of full benefits was “unauthorized” and instructing states to stop or reverse payments. The agency also warned that states could face financial penalties if they failed to comply.

This filing follows a separate lawsuit led by Attorney General James and other states on October 28, challenging the federal government’s withholding of November SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. Courts have since ruled in favor of the coalition, requiring USDA to use contingency funds and blocking efforts to recoup benefits already issued.

Joining Attorney General James in the amicus brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, along with the governors of Kansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.