Rhode Island, Massachusetts governors respond to new USDA directive on SNAP benefits

(WJAR) — Rhode Island and Massachusetts governors said residents’ EBT cards will remain active amid new directive on SNAP benefits.

The Trump administration’s new guidance follows a Supreme Court stay.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said pending any new direction from the Food and Nutrition Service, states should not issue full November benefits and should only load the partial 35% of the money.

This comes after states such as Rhode Island and Massachusetts filled SNAP recipients’ EBT cards with the entire months’ worth of SNAP benefits on Saturday, following a previous court order and USDA’s issuance.

USDA now said states that have sent full SNAP payments need to “immediately undo any steps.”

“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized,” the new USDA directive said. “Failure to comply with this memorandum may result in USDA taking various actions, including cancellation of the Federal share of State administrative costs and holding States liable for any overissuances that result from the noncompliance.”

On Sunday, Gov. Dan McKee said Rhode Island recipients’ EBT cards will remain active, and that his team has reached out to the Food and Nutrition Service related to the latest update.

“I am disgusted by the chaos and hardship that President Trump and his Administration continue to create across the country. While states have been forced to navigate a series of conflicting and erratic directives around SNAP benefits, Rhode Islanders, and all Americans, have been anxious, confused—and hungry,” McKee said in a statement.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said residents should continue to spend funds on their EBT cards.

“If President Trump wants to penalize states for preventing Americans from going hungry, we will see him in court,” she said. “These funds were processed in accordance with guidance we received from the Trump Administration and a lower court order, and they were processed before the Supreme Court order on Friday night. We will continue to work with Attorney General Campbell to make sure everyone gets the full benefits they are owed.”

McKee said on Saturday that so far, 79,000 in-state recipients have received their benefits and contingency plans are in place if future funds aren’t released.

Meanwhile, 100% of Massachusetts beneficiaries have received their November allotment.