By Kate Stockrahm

On Thursday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund this month’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by today, November 7, 2025, effectively blocking the administration’s plan to provide reduced benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.

Also on Thursday, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley’s office gave further details on the city’s previously announced partnership with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to provide food vouchers to SNAP beneficiaries and federal employees affected by the uncertainty surrounding their payments and paychecks.

According to a Nov. 6 press release from the city, while food pickup dates and times are still being finalized with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, residents are able to visit Flint City Hall now “to submit their information and eligibility documentation in order to receive their food vouchers once distribution begins.”

The release notes that voucher pickup periods will take place in two rounds, the first from Nov. 10 to Nov. 14 and the second from Nov. 17 to Nov. 21. The vouchers, which can be used for a 30-pound box of food from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, will expire Dec. 1.

The release also states that residents who wish to take part in the voucher program can visit the Information Desk at Flint City Hall and should plan to provide their name, address, phone number, email, and proof of eligibility. Proof of eligibility includes either a current SNAP benefits eligibility letter and proof of Flint residency, or proof of federal employment and proof of Flint residency.

East Village Magazine reached out for further comment from Mayor Neeley given the federal judge’s order to reinstate full SNAP benefits for recipients. EVM received response from 7th Ward Councilwoman Candice Mushatt, who noted that “the federal judge’s order doesn’t change anything for the City of Flint, simply because we’ve already been here before on the federal level, where judges have said, ‘you know you must comply with this,’ and then it’s been an appeal after appeal after appeal.”

She said the goal for Flint City Council, where the discussion around SNAP benefits started, is “to move forward so that our residents don’t feel that looming uncertainty with whether or not they will be able to feed their families this month.”

Roughly 20 percent of Genesee County residents rely on SNAP benefits according to county administrators.

Mushatt added that while the City is moving ahead with the voucher program as outlined so far, she also wanted to remind Flint’s currently furloughed federal employees that the City has also instituted a freeze on water shut-offs for them.

As reported by Reuters, the Trump administration quickly moved to appeal the judge’s decision yesterday, “leaving it unclear whether ultimately SNAP benefits would be paid out in full on Friday as the judge had ordered.” Since the original publication of this article, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency order to temporarily block full SNAP payments until a lower appeals court rules on whether to issue a more lasting pause.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect the response of Councilwoman Mushatt to EVM’s inquiries about the City’s voucher program continuing amid changing court rulings.