Maria Town
@mariatown.bsky.social
Disability Advocate. Cat Mom.
Reposted by Maria Town
BREAKING: Federal judge rules that the Trump administration likely illegally suspended SNAP benefits, ruling that at least reduced distribution is required to go forward under law using the $6 billion reserve fund.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
![UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ET AL.,
Plaintiffs,
V.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ET AL.,
Defendants.
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Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-13165-IT
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
October 31, 2025
TALWANI, D.J.
Pending before the court is Plaintiffs' Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order [Doc.
No. 3] seeking to enjoin, on an emergency basis, Defendants' November 1, 2025 suspension of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ("SNAP"). For the reasons stated
below, Plaintiffs have standing to bring this action and are likely to succeed on their claim that
Defendants' suspension of SNAP benefits is unlawful. Where that suspension of benefits rested
on an erroneous construction of the relevant statutory provisions, the court will allow Defendants
to consider whether they will authorize at least reduced SNAP benefits for November, and report
back to the court no later than Monday, November 3, 2025.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiczapq36myqhzcrdp4jfodg5rkso7nuvlta4e5b5r4l5upce7b3le@jpeg)
![As both parties acknowledge, Congress has not yet appropriated any new funds for SNAP
benefits for Fiscal Year 2026, which began on October 1, 2025. Pls.' Mem. 6 [Doc. No. 4];
Defs.' Opp'n 7 [Doc. No. 18]. But Congress took steps to protect against the deprivation of
SNAP assistance. In the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 118-42, § 6, 138
Stat. 25, 93-94, Congress separately appropriated $6 billion to the SNAP program "to remain available through September 30, 2026" and "be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such times as may become necessary to carry out program operations." See also Pub. L.
No. 119-4, § 1101(a), 139 Stat. 9, 10 (2025). As Plaintiffs point out, given the mandatory nature
of SNAP benefits under 7 U.S.C. § 2014(a) and the appropriation of these funds to be available
10
Case 1:25-cv-13165-IT
Document 26 Filed 10/31/25
Page 11 of 15
through this current fiscal year, the government is obligated to use this contingent reserve
account to fund SNAP "as may become necessary to carry out program operations." 138 Stat. at
93-94; Pls.' Mem. 11 [Doc. No. 4].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiac7aa6icx44x5xjkilpwj7il5oriyttttnrslzrhkwvw6b32cbnm@jpeg)
October 31, 2025 at 5:59 PM
BREAKING: Federal judge rules that the Trump administration likely illegally suspended SNAP benefits, ruling that at least reduced distribution is required to go forward under law using the $6 billion reserve fund.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
Reposted by Maria Town
“Given how many people with disabilities rely on benefits from government programs, this shutdown is especially harmful for the disability community” - @mariatown.bsky.social, @aapd.com
#DisabilityJustice
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/10/28/g...
#DisabilityJustice
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/10/28/g...
Government Shutdown Has Disability Providers 'Running On Fumes'
Nearly a month into the federal shutdown, some organizations aiding people with disabilities are starting to scale back services as the effects begin to mount.
www.disabilityscoop.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
“Given how many people with disabilities rely on benefits from government programs, this shutdown is especially harmful for the disability community” - @mariatown.bsky.social, @aapd.com
#DisabilityJustice
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/10/28/g...
#DisabilityJustice
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/10/28/g...
Reposted by Maria Town
Judge Indira Talwani acknowledged this will leave millions of people without assistance starting Saturday. Two dozen Democratic-led states had sued over the administration's decision to suspend SNAP. n.pr/3JxdjHW
Judge gives Trump administration until Monday to have a plan for SNAP benefits
Judge Indira Talwani acknowledged this will leave millions of people without assistance starting Saturday. Two dozen Democratic-led states had sued over the administration's decision to suspend SNAP.
n.pr
October 31, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Judge Indira Talwani acknowledged this will leave millions of people without assistance starting Saturday. Two dozen Democratic-led states had sued over the administration's decision to suspend SNAP. n.pr/3JxdjHW
Reposted by Maria Town
BREAKING: Judges order the federal government to use contingency funds for SNAP food aid payments during the shutdown.
Judges order the Trump administration to use contingency funds for SNAP payments during the shutdown
Two federal judge have ruled that the Trump administration must continue to fund the SNAP food aid program using contingency funds during the government shutdown.
bit.ly
October 31, 2025 at 6:26 PM
BREAKING: Judges order the federal government to use contingency funds for SNAP food aid payments during the shutdown.
Reposted by Maria Town
2026 Applications for the Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leaders Award close TOMORROW at 5 PM ET! Recipients receive $25,000 for leadership development and to advance a bold idea for people with disabilities.
Go to our website to apply and learn more: www.aapd.com/paul-g-hearn...
Go to our website to apply and learn more: www.aapd.com/paul-g-hearn...
Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leaders Award - AAPD
The AAPD Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awards recognizes outstanding emerging leaders with disabilities who exemplify leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the broader cross-disability community.
www.aapd.com
October 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
2026 Applications for the Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leaders Award close TOMORROW at 5 PM ET! Recipients receive $25,000 for leadership development and to advance a bold idea for people with disabilities.
Go to our website to apply and learn more: www.aapd.com/paul-g-hearn...
Go to our website to apply and learn more: www.aapd.com/paul-g-hearn...
Reposted by Maria Town
This week on The State of Belief: Rev. @raushenbush.bsky.social is joined by @thecelinafactor.bsky.social, CEO of @lwvus.bsky.social!
League of Women Voters CEO Celena Stewart: Courage is Not the Absence of Fear
Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to talk about the organization's history, as well as its role in this challenging time for many voters.
www.interfaithalliance.org
October 8, 2025 at 1:46 PM
This week on The State of Belief: Rev. @raushenbush.bsky.social is joined by @thecelinafactor.bsky.social, CEO of @lwvus.bsky.social!
Reposted by Maria Town
The programs will continue to receive grant funding, but only for one year.
“It is still a disruption to families,’’ Lisa McConachie of the Oregon DeafBlind Project said. “It creates this mistrust, that you are gone and back and gone and back.”
“It is still a disruption to families,’’ Lisa McConachie of the Oregon DeafBlind Project said. “It creates this mistrust, that you are gone and back and gone and back.”
Education Dept. Reverses Decision to Halt Funds for Deafblind Student Programs
Following public outcry, the Department of Education has reversed its decision to cut funding for students who have both hearing and vision loss, opting instead to reroute grants to an organization th...
www.propublica.org
October 17, 2025 at 8:52 PM
The programs will continue to receive grant funding, but only for one year.
“It is still a disruption to families,’’ Lisa McConachie of the Oregon DeafBlind Project said. “It creates this mistrust, that you are gone and back and gone and back.”
“It is still a disruption to families,’’ Lisa McConachie of the Oregon DeafBlind Project said. “It creates this mistrust, that you are gone and back and gone and back.”
Reposted by Maria Town
This seems troubling. It’s not a situation like when the physician payment formula was in flux in 2015 & all Medicare physician claims were temporarily held (or paid at lower rates and then later reprocessed). Most payments should flow normally with only certain telemedicine/other claims held.
#Breaking: Medicare payments to doctors paused as government shutdown drags on www.statnews.com/2025/10/15/c...
Medicare payments to doctors paused as government shutdown drags on
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is pausing Medicare payments to doctors, as negotiations tied to the government shutdown drag on.
www.statnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:11 AM
This seems troubling. It’s not a situation like when the physician payment formula was in flux in 2015 & all Medicare physician claims were temporarily held (or paid at lower rates and then later reprocessed). Most payments should flow normally with only certain telemedicine/other claims held.
Today is a Disability Mentoring Day, a day that puts a focus on national effort on promoting career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities through career exploration and ongoing mentoring relationships.
October 16, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Today is a Disability Mentoring Day, a day that puts a focus on national effort on promoting career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities through career exploration and ongoing mentoring relationships.
The government shutdown shows no signs of ending soon. Social Security & Medicaid benefits will keep going out, but, people could be w/o other benefits, like SNAP & WIC very soon. AAPD created a resource that explains what’s at stake if the shutdown doesn’t end soon. www.aapd.com/explainer-wh...
Explainer: What the Government Shutdown Means for SNAP, WIC, and Disability Programs - AAPD
On Wednesday, October 1, at 12:01 AM, part of the federal government shut down because Congress could not agree on a funding plan. As of now, the government has been shut down for two weeks. Congress...
www.aapd.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:59 AM
The government shutdown shows no signs of ending soon. Social Security & Medicaid benefits will keep going out, but, people could be w/o other benefits, like SNAP & WIC very soon. AAPD created a resource that explains what’s at stake if the shutdown doesn’t end soon. www.aapd.com/explainer-wh...
Reposted by Maria Town
Per CDC source: At internal leadership meeting this afternoon, it was shared that 1,257 people were RIF'd at CDC. Number may not be final. Apparently, chief of staff was unaware that RIFs were going to occur so not clear who is making decisions. (Short 🧵)
October 11, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Per CDC source: At internal leadership meeting this afternoon, it was shared that 1,257 people were RIF'd at CDC. Number may not be final. Apparently, chief of staff was unaware that RIFs were going to occur so not clear who is making decisions. (Short 🧵)
Reposted by Maria Town
If you work in the Office of Special Education for the Department of Education and have been RIF'ed or if you work in a school that has been notified about it, please message me. My Signal is emgarcia.85. I'll protect your identity.
There are reports that the *entire* office of special education at the US Dept of Education has been cut. These hardworking folks ensure kids with disabilities get equal access to a quality education.
America’s children deserve better than this.
America’s children deserve better than this.
October 11, 2025 at 8:12 PM
If you work in the Office of Special Education for the Department of Education and have been RIF'ed or if you work in a school that has been notified about it, please message me. My Signal is emgarcia.85. I'll protect your identity.
Reposted by Maria Town
Two opportunities to get involved in the city this week, from @colleengrablick.bsky.social's Civics Roundup:
• Tuesday, Oct. 7: @freedcproject.bsky.social's Ward 3 campaign orientation
• Wednesday, Oct. 8: "Angry" hour for pissed-off optimists benefiting @peacefordc.bsky.social
• Tuesday, Oct. 7: @freedcproject.bsky.social's Ward 3 campaign orientation
• Wednesday, Oct. 8: "Angry" hour for pissed-off optimists benefiting @peacefordc.bsky.social
Your weekly roundup of ways to get involved in D.C.
Plus, plenty of chances to plug into Free DC this week.
51st.news
October 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Two opportunities to get involved in the city this week, from @colleengrablick.bsky.social's Civics Roundup:
• Tuesday, Oct. 7: @freedcproject.bsky.social's Ward 3 campaign orientation
• Wednesday, Oct. 8: "Angry" hour for pissed-off optimists benefiting @peacefordc.bsky.social
• Tuesday, Oct. 7: @freedcproject.bsky.social's Ward 3 campaign orientation
• Wednesday, Oct. 8: "Angry" hour for pissed-off optimists benefiting @peacefordc.bsky.social
Reposted by Maria Town
ICYMI, the federal government is still shut down.
Here's what that means for the people of D.C.
Here's what that means for the people of D.C.
The federal government has shut down. Here’s what it means for D.C.
You can’t legally get married, for one, and the city’s economy will take a hit.
51st.news
October 5, 2025 at 1:01 PM
ICYMI, the federal government is still shut down.
Here's what that means for the people of D.C.
Here's what that means for the people of D.C.
Reposted by Maria Town
#FF @jasmineeharris.bsky.social @mariatown.bsky.social @crenny75.bsky.social @akwyz.com @neilmilliken.bsky.social @debraruh.bsky.social @judgewren.bsky.social @sabrinaep.bsky.social @xoulwing.bsky.social @icarszoey.bsky.social @yep4rights.bsky.social @disabilityrightsca.bsky.social @aapd.com
October 3, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Reposted by Maria Town
And will be in excellent hands with the brilliant @ashleyallison.bsky.social 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/02/media/the-root-go-media-ashley-allison
The Root returns to Black ownership | CNN Business
Ashley Allison, a Democratic political strategist and CNN commentator, said Thursday that she is acquiring The Root from G/O Media.
edition.cnn.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:19 PM
And will be in excellent hands with the brilliant @ashleyallison.bsky.social 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/02/media/the-root-go-media-ashley-allison
Reposted by Maria Town
If you haven’t worked in the federal government during a past shutdown, it may be hard to know how drastically this breaks from past practice and the law.
I was furloughed from HHS in 2013, and our out-of-office messages were studiously neutral. To do otherwise would have violated the Hatch Act.
I was furloughed from HHS in 2013, and our out-of-office messages were studiously neutral. To do otherwise would have violated the Hatch Act.
Wild stuff. Furloughed employees within HHS got an email this morning telling them to set an out-of-office reply blaming Democrats for the shutdown.
"I take that email as coercing subordinates to engage in political activity," one worker told me.
www.huffpost.com/entry/out-of...
"I take that email as coercing subordinates to engage in political activity," one worker told me.
www.huffpost.com/entry/out-of...
Trump Admin Tells Federal Employees To Set OOO Message Blaming Democrats For Shutdown
One health department employee said the directions seemed to be "coercing" subordinates into political activity.
www.huffpost.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:39 PM
If you haven’t worked in the federal government during a past shutdown, it may be hard to know how drastically this breaks from past practice and the law.
I was furloughed from HHS in 2013, and our out-of-office messages were studiously neutral. To do otherwise would have violated the Hatch Act.
I was furloughed from HHS in 2013, and our out-of-office messages were studiously neutral. To do otherwise would have violated the Hatch Act.
Reposted by Maria Town
Ridiculously, Medicare Telehealth coverage keeps are getting tied to continuing resolutions. Bills could be passed separately. But political bureaucracy. This means Medicare Telehealth waivers are kaput as of today. My latest for @motherjones.com www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Another shutdown casualty: Medicare telehealth coverage
It's got bipartisan support—and millions of Americans need it. But Congress keeps failing to lock in funding for Medicare telehealth services.
www.motherjones.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Ridiculously, Medicare Telehealth coverage keeps are getting tied to continuing resolutions. Bills could be passed separately. But political bureaucracy. This means Medicare Telehealth waivers are kaput as of today. My latest for @motherjones.com www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Maria Town
This will be an essential resource, and my hope is that it makes it easier for academics who are called to public scholarship as a way to fight the encroaching darkness.
COVER REVEAL AND PREORDER: The Public Scholar - A Practical Handbook.
"Perry focuses on the practical details of how to approach public scholarship. How do you pitch a piece to an editor? When should you follow or ignore the rules of the genre? And what happens once your piece is out in the world?"
"Perry focuses on the practical details of how to approach public scholarship. How do you pitch a piece to an editor? When should you follow or ignore the rules of the genre? And what happens once your piece is out in the world?"
The Public Scholar
A Practical Handbook
www.press.jhu.edu
October 1, 2025 at 11:25 AM
This will be an essential resource, and my hope is that it makes it easier for academics who are called to public scholarship as a way to fight the encroaching darkness.
As we await news of a government shutdown, I’m thinking back to my time as a federal employee. In 2013, the government shutdown for a little more than two weeks. I was confused, frustrated, and scared.
October 1, 2025 at 2:44 AM
As we await news of a government shutdown, I’m thinking back to my time as a federal employee. In 2013, the government shutdown for a little more than two weeks. I was confused, frustrated, and scared.
Reposted by Maria Town
The work of disabled scholars counting on federal funding for their projects and access needs is evaporating in a haze of Trump, after we fought SO HARD for equitable access. Many of these scholars are in the ADA Generation!
Assault on Accessibility Initiatives Hits Early Career Scientists Hard
The Trump administration’s cuts to programs supporting people with disabilities are part of a broader assault on DEI.
capitalandmain.com
September 27, 2025 at 3:18 AM
The work of disabled scholars counting on federal funding for their projects and access needs is evaporating in a haze of Trump, after we fought SO HARD for equitable access. Many of these scholars are in the ADA Generation!
Reposted by Maria Town
So, a project that I’m working on is getting some media attention, and that feels pretty cool.
I should note: this article lets at least one highly dubious claim from administration brass go unchallenged. So bad as this picture of Trump’s SSA looks, the reality’s probably worse.
Gift link below.
I should note: this article lets at least one highly dubious claim from administration brass go unchallenged. So bad as this picture of Trump’s SSA looks, the reality’s probably worse.
Gift link below.
A Diminished Social Security Work Force, and Its Customers, Feel the Strain
www.nytimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:22 PM
So, a project that I’m working on is getting some media attention, and that feels pretty cool.
I should note: this article lets at least one highly dubious claim from administration brass go unchallenged. So bad as this picture of Trump’s SSA looks, the reality’s probably worse.
Gift link below.
I should note: this article lets at least one highly dubious claim from administration brass go unchallenged. So bad as this picture of Trump’s SSA looks, the reality’s probably worse.
Gift link below.
Reposted by Maria Town
In making unsupported claims about autism, the Trump administration is "pointing the finger" at parents and making them feel guilty, says autism community advocate Colin Killick.
Trump admin 'seems to care very little about autistic people,' says advocate
In making unsupported claims about autism, the Trump administration is "pointing the finger" at parents and making them feel guilty, says autism community advocate Colin Killick.
n.pr
September 24, 2025 at 7:31 PM
In making unsupported claims about autism, the Trump administration is "pointing the finger" at parents and making them feel guilty, says autism community advocate Colin Killick.
Reposted by Maria Town
Citing concerns about DEI, the Department of Education has halted funding for programs that support students with combined hearing and vision loss in eight states.
“How low can you go?” one advocate asked. “How can you do this to children?”
By @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
“How low can you go?” one advocate asked. “How can you do this to children?”
By @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
Programs for Students With Hearing and Vision Loss Harmed by Trump’s Anti-Diversity Push
Citing concerns about DEI, the U.S. Department of Education has halted funding for programs that support students with combined hearing and vision loss in eight states. “How low can you go?” one advoc...
www.propublica.org
September 12, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Citing concerns about DEI, the Department of Education has halted funding for programs that support students with combined hearing and vision loss in eight states.
“How low can you go?” one advocate asked. “How can you do this to children?”
By @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
“How low can you go?” one advocate asked. “How can you do this to children?”
By @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social