Full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are on the way, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told states on Friday, Nov. 7. But when and whether those benefits will reach the 42 million Americans who rely on them to eat remains an open question.

The USDA is working to comply with a court order to provide those benefits by the end of the day, Nov. 7, the department said in a memo sent to state administrators.

"Later today, (Food and Nutrition Service) will complete the processes necessary to make funds available to support your subsequent transmittal of full issuance files to your EBT processor," according to the memo.

But at the same time, the Trump administration has appealed the decision by the District Court of Rhode Island. A decision on whether that appeal is accepted ‒ allowing the USDA to continue withholding benefits ‒ is expected late on the afternoon of Nov. 7.

States have already received partial benefits to provide to the millions of Americans who rely on SNAP, also known as food stamps.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Full SNAP benefits coming, USDA tells states. When remains unclear.

Reporting by Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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