DALLAS - A last-minute ruling could bring relief to millions of Americans who rely on supplemental food benefits that were set to be cut off because of the government shutdown.

Two federal judges on Friday ruled that the White House must use contingency funds for SNAP benefits.

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On Friday, a federal judge in Rhode Island ruled that the government must distribute contingency money timely or as soon as possible so that Nov. 1 SNAP payments can be made.

Another federal judge in Massachusetts gave the Trump administration until Monday to explain how it would fund benefits.

Despite the rulings that the benefits could not be suspended for the first time in SNAP’s 61-year history, many people are still likely to face payment delays.

It’s likely too late to

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