New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined a coalition of 21 other state attorneys general and three governors in a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Secretary, Brooke Rollins. The lawsuit challenges the federal government’s decision to suspend funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown.
Governor Phil Murphy commented on the situation, stating, “The Trump Administration’s failure to fund SNAP during the federal government shutdown is an affront to the more than 800,000 New Jerseyans who depend on these critical benefits to access nutritious food. I thank Attorney General Matt Platkin for taking action to hold the federal government accountable for their betrayal of America’s most vulnerable working- and middle-class families.”
Attorney General Platkin added, “New Jersey families are being used as political pawns by the Trump Administration, which is illegally suspending SNAP and the critical assistance it provides to residents who are struggling with food insecurity. This is especially devastating in the month of November, when families are gathering and demands on food banks and pantries are heaviest. We are standing up for families across our state and fighting to ensure that they continue to have access to food for their households. Our coalition is suing the Administration to stop this clear attempt at subverting the authority of Congress and the extreme harms that it would cause in New Jersey.”
The issue arose after Congress failed to appropriate funds at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, leading to a government shutdown. On October 10, USDA informed state SNAP agencies that if funding was not restored, there would be insufficient funds for November SNAP benefits nationwide. By October 24, USDA confirmed plans to suspend all November benefits starting November 1.
According to information provided by New Jersey officials, approximately 813,000 people in New Jersey rely on SNAP benefits as of August 2025. These individuals make up over 436,000 households—including more than 340,000 children and about 177,000 elderly residents—and nearly 5,700 retailers in New Jersey accept SNAP payments.
Despite claims from USDA about lack of funds for SNAP during this period, Attorney General Platkin’s office notes that billions remain available through contingency funds specifically set aside by Congress for such situations. The complaint argues that while emergency funds were allocated for other programs during this shutdown period, SNAP recipients were left without support.
State officials warn that suspending these benefits will impact not only individuals but also local governments and community organizations already struggling with increased demand at food banks and pantries. Schools may also be affected due to heightened student food insecurity. Additionally, retailers accepting SNAP payments could see reduced business activity; USDA estimates suggest each dollar spent through SNAP generates $1.54 in economic activity.
The coalition asserts that suspending benefits violates both Congressional intent—which requires continued distribution even during shutdowns—and administrative law principles under the Administrative Procedure Act. The group plans to file a temporary restraining order seeking immediate restoration of benefit payments.
Attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin District Columbia joined New Jersey’s suit along with governors from Kansas Kentucky Pennsylvania.
