In the week since federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits nearly expired, the Trump administration has successfully pushed back on orders from federal courts to maintain payments for November, a back-and-forth that has thrown U.S. food assistance into chaos.

The federal government funds SNAP, while states handle the administrative task of distributing payments to qualifying residents. Conflicting messaging on how much money will be available and when states can expect it has left the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP in limbo.

States and food banks have had to watch for and react to every court order and response this week as they contend with the unprecedented lapse in crucial food assistance.

Just hours before SNAP benefits were set to expire on Nov. 1, U

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