Puerto Rico covers nutritional assistance for November despite court rulings

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, then a federal judge, is seen testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 22, 2022. (Hilary Swift/The New York Times)

By THE STAR STAFF

Despite ongoing legal battles in the United States over federal nutrition assistance funding, Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes confirmed over the weekend that all November payments under the Nutrition Assistance Program (known locally as PAN by its acronym in Spanish) are fully covered in Puerto Rico.

“In light of the ongoing court proceedings regarding whether the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must fully fund SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] and PAN benefits for November, we want to reassure our people that, at this time, these decisions do not affect the disbursement plan in Puerto Rico,” Roig Fuertes said in a written statement.

The official noted that the Family Department has sufficient funds thanks to previously identified savings and an additional $150 million provided by the USDA last week. The resources will ensure that all PAN recipients receive their full benefits for the month.

Roig Fuertes remarks were made after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday night temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that had ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP. The decision came after two federal judges had directed the administration to continue SNAP payments during the ongoing government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1.

President Donald Trump had indicated he would comply with court instructions on how to distribute the benefits, which the administration claimed had lapsed on Nov. 1 due to a lack of funding. Although partial payments were made, U.S. District Judge John McConnell later ordered the government to fully fund the program, which supports 42 million Americans monthly.

The administration appealed McConnell’s ruling to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which declined to issue an immediate stay but promised a swift review. The case then moved to the Supreme Court, where Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary stay. She noted that the stay would expire within 48 hours of the First Circuit’s decision on the pending motion.

The funding dispute comes amid a broader budget impasse in Congress. In October, Senate Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement to extend government funding beyond Sept. 30. While Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, most legislation requires 60 votes to advance. A key sticking point remains the extension of healthcare premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire on Dec. 31 unless renewed.

Despite the uncertainty in Washington, Puerto Rico officials emphasized that local PAN recipients will not be affected this month.