'Fight like hell': Oregon files motion to block USDA from taking back SNAP funds

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Despite recent attempts from the Trump administration to take back the money used for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Oregon last week, state leaders say beneficiaries will continue to have their full benefits this month.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) late Sunday night alongside a coalition of 22 attorneys general and three governors to ensure that the money used to pay these benefits would not be forcibly returned.

This motion comes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture instructed states on Saturday to “immediately undo” actions they had taken to send out full SNAP benefits or lose out on federal cost-sharing.

However, AG Rayfield claims these actions were consistent with a federal court order and USDA’s own guidance at the time of the distribution.

The coalition of states have asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to block the Trump administration’s demand. On Monday morning, the Court stayed the USDA’s directive.

“This kind of whiplash lands directly on families who are just trying to keep food on the table,” Rayfield said. “The Trump Administration tried to threaten states. Oregon will not let them threaten and attack hungry families and we are going to fight like hell to keep those benefits where they belong.”

In the past week, KOIN 6 News has seen people worried that the Supreme Court's order could mean that their EBT cards won't work, that they'll be fined, or that their SNAP benefits will be taken away.

However, ODHS said this of the more than 700,00 Oregonians who received benefits Friday: "They belong to you, and you can and should spend them as usual."

Still, with the holidays around the corner, Sunshine Division Executive Kyle Camberg wonders if this temporary fix is enough.

"We don't know what it means for the community,” he said. “It's terrifying if we can't get our arms around this and really get a solution sooner rather than later."

As confusion rises, the needs of SNAP recipients like Barbra Rinaldi rise, too.

"Makes me sick to my stomach because you can't just feed all these Americans and then take it away. You just can't do that. You can't just cut it off,” she said.

Camberg said the situation is “terrible, because it is a roller coaster that is, you know, frankly, harming, you know, 12% of our national population. We're talking about 42 million families. So it's really difficult."

The Oregon Food Bank shared the following statement with KOIN 6 News:

"We appreciate ODHS’s announcement that Oregonians can continue to spend November SNAP benefits already loaded on their cards. SNAP benefits should not have been disrupted in the first place and must continue without interruption. Food is a human right, and these resources are essential for children, older adults, and families already facing hardship. No one should lose access to the food they need to survive and thrive."

A hearing for the TRO motion is set for Monday at 12:30 p.m.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.