In the week since federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits nearly expired, the Trump administration has successfully pushed back on orders from federal courts to maintain payments for November, a back-and-forth that has thrown U.S. food assistance into chaos.

The federal government funds SNAP, while states handle the administrative task of distributing payments to qualifying residents. Conflicting messaging on how much money will be available and when states can expect it has left the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP in limbo.

States and food banks have had to watch for and react to every court order and response this week as they contend with the unprecedented lapse in crucial food assistance.

Just hours before SNAP benefits were set to expire on Nov. 1, U.S. District Judge John McConnell ordered the White House to use a $5.25 billion fund to keep SNAP benefits going.

That wasn't enough to fully cover the November installment, and the Trump administration said days later it would partially fund SNAP without touching the additional funds. President Trump then briefly muddied the waters when he said payments would only be given when “Radical Left Democrats open up government.”

McConnell on Thursday rejected the plans to provide partial payments, ordering that full SNAP benefits be provided.

The White House quickly balked at the order, with Vice President Vance calling it “absurd” and the Justice Department filing an emergency request to

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