PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S ADMINISTRATION HAS ASKED A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT TO BLOCK A JUDGE’S ORDER THAT IT DISTRIBUTE NOVEMBER’S FULL MONTHLY SNAP FOOD BENEFITS.

THE JUDGE GAVE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION UNTIL FRIDAY TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS.

THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO CONTINUE WITH PLANNED PARTIAL SNAP PAYMENTS FOR THE MONTH.

BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ORIGINALLY HAD SAID THAT SNAP BENEFITS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER.

HOWEVER, TWO JUDGES RULED LAST WEEK THAT THE ADMINISTRATION COULD NOT SKIP NOVEMBER’S BENEFITS ENTIRELY.

IN BOTH CASES, THE JUDGES ORDERED THE GOVERNMENT TO USE ONE EMERGENCY RESERVE FUND CONTAINING MORE THAN $4.6 BILLION TO PAY FOR SNAP FOR NOVEMBER.

BUT THE ADMINISTRATION ASKED THE APPEALS COURT TO SUSPEND ANY COURT ORDERS REQUIRING IT TO SPEND MORE MONEY THAN IS AVAILABLE IN A CONTINGENCY FUND, SAYING IT WAS UP TO CONGRESS TO APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS FOR THE PROGRAM.

THE COURT WRANGLING PROLONGED WEEKS OF UNCERTAINTY FOR THE FOOD PROGRAM THAT SERVES ABOUT 1 IN 8 AMERICANS, MOSTLY WITH LOWER INCOMES.