A federal judge in Washington, DC, issued an injunction on Friday blocking a Trump administration rule change that would have forced some 700,000 Americans off of food stamps.
The rule change would have required able-bodied adults without children to work at least 20 hours a week in order to qualify for “SNAP,” or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, benefits beyond the initial three months.
The rule would also have limited states’ ability to issue waivers to the work requirement based on economic conditions — for example, based on a coronavirus-fueled economic slowdown.
In his decision, US District Court Judge Beryl Howell noted the country’s virus outbreak as a reason to keep food support widely available.
“Especially now, as a global pandemic poses widespread health risks, guaranteeing that government officials at both the federal and state levels have the flexibility to address the nutritional needs of residents and ensure their well-being through programs like SNAP, is essential,” Howell wrote.
The rule would have taken effect in April.