US supreme court extends Trump pause on $4bn in food aid benefits

More uncertainty after justices allow temporary block on full payments for Snap, relied upon by 42 million Americans

Millions of Americans grappling with food insecurity will face more uncertainty this week after the US supreme court enabled the Trump administration to continue withholding funds for food stamps.

In an administrative stay issued on Tuesday, the highest court upheld the administration's request to extend a pause on a federal judge's ruling that would have required $4bn in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Snap, the food aid relied on by 42 million people, to be distributed. The funding freeze has been given two additional days, and will now remain in place until midnight on Thursday.