Gov. Andy Beshear has joined leaders from 24 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump administration over what they call an unlawful suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Oct. 24 that it would halt all November 2025 SNAP payments for about 42 million Americans — including nearly 600,000 Kentuckians — until new federal funding is secured. SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to help them afford nutritious groceries.
Beshear said the decision will worsen hunger and hardship for families and children, emphasizing that feeding people is both a moral and practical responsibility. He said the administration’s move contradicts values of compassion and community care.
The multistate lawsuit argues that the USDA has billions in contingency funds specifically for SNAP that Congress set aside for emergencies like this, yet the agency has refused to use them while continuing to fund other programs.
Kentucky SNAP recipients can still use their current benefits as normal for now. The state’s Department for Community Based Services will provide updates through its website, Self-Service Portal, and official notifications.
Attorneys general from 24 other states — including California, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, and Washington — joined the challenge, along with the governors of Kansas and Pennsylvania.
