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Maria Town

@mariatown.bsky.social
9.3K followers 82 following 73 posts

Disability Advocate. Cat Mom.

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Reposted by Maria Town
Nicole Chung @nicolechung.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Periplus, a mentorship collective serving US-based early-career writers of color, is now accepting applications for our 2027 class of fellows! Apply by Oct. 11: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... You can learn more about Periplus (including fellowship eligibility requirements) at bit.ly/periplusfaq
docs.google.com
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Maria Town @mariatown.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
There are many opportunities at @aapd.com to support the growth of disability community and leadership. Here's a thread of all of them. All of these opportunities can be found on our linktree here: linktr.ee/aapd PS - I just learned that this might also be called a skeet storm, and I......why????
linktr.ee
AAPD Official: Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
The American Association of People with Disabilities works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities.
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Maria Town @mariatown.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Disability Voting Rights Week kicks off on Monday Sept 14 and goes through September 18. During this time, people across the country come together through events, trainings, webinars, & rallies to highlight the power of the more than 40 million eligible disabled voters. www.aapd.com/disability-v...
aapd.com
Disability Voting Rights Week - AAPD
Join us September 11-15, 2023 to make sure disabled voters in your community are registered and ready to vote.
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Maria Town @mariatown.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Thank you to the random green haired person who complimented my jewelry as you exited the DC metro. You made my night.
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Reposted by Maria Town
Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Network @domesticemployers.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
“We know that people with disabilities and older adults have better outcomes and live longer lives when they are served in the community and not in institutions. So this could have extremely dire consequences.” — @mariatown.bsky.social, president and CEO of @aapd.com
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Reposted by Maria Town
Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Network @domesticemployers.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
“We know that people with disabilities and older adults have better outcomes and live longer lives when they are served in the community and not in institutions. So this could have extremely dire consequences.” — @mariatown.bsky.social, president and CEO of @aapd.com
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Reposted by Maria Town
Sara Luterman @slooterman.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
I am looking for women of color, particularly BIPOC, to interview about early Alzheimer’s diagnosis — That is, diagnosis before symptoms progressed significantly and how it has changed how you live your life. 1/3
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Maria Town @mariatown.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
The Supreme Court just ruled to protect mail-in ballots. This is a big win for voters with disabilities, who often rely on vote by mail because of the multitude of barriers that can occur when voting in person. www.aapd.com/american-ass...
aapd.com
American Association of People with Disabilities Applauds Supreme Court Protecting Mail Ballot Grace Periods - AAPD
For Immediate Release: June 29, 2026 Contact: Naomi Hess, communications@aapd.com; 202-873-4011 WASHINGTON, DC – On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in RNC v. Watson upholding the r...
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Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
I get the impulse for autistic people to want to respond by saying that they DID go to college or play baseball or date and work. But that still plays into ableist narratives. Even if an #ActuallyAutistic person does none of these, they still have worth.
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♿️Maestro Fluger (he/him) @nfluger.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Truly awful. Our SPED students are already at so many disadvantages. Putting the leadership of their care in the hands of these eugenicist ghouls is a nightmare.
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Maria Town @mariatown.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Moving special education to the Department of Health and Human Services will not help students with disabilities. It will not help families. It will not help teachers. It will send us back, 50 years if not more. This will re-segregate students with disabilities. www.aapd.com/ed-transfer-...
aapd.com
AAPD Outraged by Unlawful Transfer of Special Education, Civil Rights Offices From Department of Education to Other Agencies - AAPD
For Immediate Release: June 16, 2026 Contact: Jess Davidson, jdavidson@aapd.com; 202-465-5528   WASHINGTON, DC —  The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) strongly condemns today’s ...
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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Medicaid work requirements were always going to be cruel. Then, the White House intervened (likely) and made the definition of who can be exempt based on disabilities/health much stricter. This is going to kill people. New from me at @motherjones.com. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
The White House just made Medicaid work requirements even worse
"It’s hard not to think that the cruelty of the policy is the point."
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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
“There are going to be so many disabled people and chronically ill people who lose access to their health care and other kinds of supports that Medicaid provides,” said @mariatown.bsky.social, the President and CEO of @aapd.com.
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Reposted by Maria Town
Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Network @domesticemployers.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
“Despite Congress’ promises that people with disabilities will be exempt from these requirements, not all people with disabilities are exempt. Disabled people will lose access to Medicaid” - @mariatown.bsky.social @aapd.com #ProtectMedicaid www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/06/03/m...
disabilityscoop.com
Medicaid Changes Will Push People With Disabilities Off Program, Advocates Warn
The Trump administration is unveiling long-awaited details about new, more stringent Medicaid eligibility rules and raising fresh concerns about implications for people with disabilities.
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Reposted by Maria Town
The Upshot @upshot.nytimes.com · 02/06/2026
By tightening an exception for people with serious illnesses, more of them may lose coverage. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Announces Stricter Rules for Medicaid Work Requirement
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Maria Town @mariatown.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
CMS will publish interim final rule on Medicaid work and community engagement requirements. This is a part of the changes and cuts ushered into Medicaid via HR 1 last year. There will be a comment period through July 31st. Work requirements cut people off of healthcare. www.aapd.com/work-require...
aapd.com
Important Update on Medicaid Work Requirements - AAPD
New Federal Guidance Implements Policy That, Research Shows, Will Not Increase Employment and Unenrolls Eligible Individuals From Medicaid Coverage For Immediate Release: June 1, 2026 Contact: Jess Da...
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Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 28/05/2026
“You shouldn’t need to be a high-visibility person to get a response when an airline breaks your mobility device or something you rely on to go about your day.” @mariatown.bsky.social , on constant, blithely neglectful wheelchair+ damage by airline personnel: www.usatoday.com/story/travel...
usatoday.com
Her scooter was damaged on a flight. She says it keeps happening
Maria Town, a professional disability advocate, said her mobility scooter was damaged on a flight. It wasn't the first time, either.
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Maria Town @mariatown.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Advocacy works! The Attorney General of Indiana has dropped out of the lawsuit against the Section 504 disability nondiscrimination healthcare regulations. Great news to share on 504 day. The force is with us.
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Reposted by Maria Town
NPR @npr.org · 01/05/2026
Starting May 1, many people covered by Medicaid in Nebraska have to prove they are working. It's a requirement most states will have to implement under President Trump's budget law, beginning in January. n.pr/48BKnrP
n.pr
It's Day 1 of Medicaid work requirements in Nebraska. People are worried
Starting May 1, many people covered by Medicaid in Nebraska have to prove they are working. It's a requirement most states will have to implement under President Trump's budget law, beginning in January.
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Reposted by Maria Town
Matthew Borus @matthewborus.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
I seem to have a bunch of new followers—hello, all! I hope that you’ll check out a report that @ksavin.bsky.social, @calliefreitag.bsky.social, and I wrote about how it’s gotten even harder to claim disability benefits under Trump 2.0 and DOGE. The thread below sums up key points. Thx for reading!
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Matthew Borus @matthewborus.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
In this new report, @ksavin.bsky.social, and @calliefreitag.bsky.social and I explain how Trump 2.0 and DOGE built up new barriers to the already-difficult process of getting disability benefits. Let's talk about what we found, and what we recommend to address the issues. 🧵
dredf.org
“In the last year, it’s gotten a lot worse” A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers to Disability Benefits in 2025 - DREDF
This report is based on interviews with 52 benefits professionals serving over 8,000 disability claimants nationwide. The independent research finds that recent Social Security Administration administ...
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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
You can condemn Trump without making the incorrect insinuation that evilness is associated with aging/mental illness.
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NPR @npr.org · 26/03/2026
Hundreds of immigrants have been arrested at immigration courthouses. It is unclear whether the federal government's admission could lead to some of those arrests being overturned. n.pr/4t3NCzU
n.pr
DOJ admits ICE courthouse arrests relied on erroneous information
Hundreds of immigrants have been arrested at immigration courthouses. It is unclear whether the federal government's admission could lead to some of those arrests being overturned.
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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
"Many disabled people in media, myself included, owe a debt of thanks to Alice, whether she helped us personally or indirectly by fundamentally reshaping the culture around us." Very much agree with these words by @sesmith.lol on Alice Wong. disabilityvisibilityproject.com/celebration-...
disabilityvisibilityproject.com
Celebration of Life
Welcome & Introduction On November 14, 2025, our beloved Alice Wong became an ancestor. In her own words, she told us: “Hi everyone, it looks like I ran out of time. I have so many dreams that …
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Maria Town @mariatown.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
In case anyone is wondering, many US Presidents likely had dyslexia and other learning disabilities. I’m not saying that having these conditions makes someone a better or worse leader, but it certainly does not preclude someone from seeking and ultimately being successful in the office. #Disability
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Reposted by Maria Town
David Michaels @drdavidmichaels.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
If you purchase a countertop with little or no silica, you can save a life. Hundreds of young men are developing silicosis, exposed as the cut, grind and polish artificial stone slabs to make your kitchen countertops. @celinegounder.com explains the way to prevent it - buy the safer product.
youtube.com
Lung disease becomes more frequent among engineered stone workers
YouTube video by CBS News
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Reposted by Maria Town
Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
it is snowing in DC yesterday was 80
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Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) @autisticadvocacy.org · 01/03/2026
🕯️Today is Disability Day of Mourning, when our community remembers disabled people lost to filicide. Join us tonight 6pm ET for ASAN’s virtual vigil: youtu.be/HeF3LrHTuBM #DDoM2026
Dark blue gradient background. There are two illustrated white candles. Text reads: Today, March 1st, is Disability Day of Mourning. Today our community remembers disabled people lost to filicide. Join ASAN for our virtual vigil tonight on our YouTube channel.  The ASAN logo is at the bottom.
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Elena Hung (she/her) @elenahung.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Very few people will get me to leave my warm, comfy bed and go outside in this icy snow; @mariatown.bsky.social & @lachimusic.bsky.social did! Thrilled I got to spend the evening listening to their conversation on all things disability, including Lachi's new book "I identify as blind."
Photo of (L to R) Maria, me, and Lachi with her sparkly Glam Cane; we are all smiling at the camera and looking gorgeous AF. I am holding a copy of Lachi's book "I identify as blind" in my hand.
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Maria Town @mariatown.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
I have not been able to leave my apartment since Friday, January 23rd. While the sidewalk next to me has been cleared, the curb cut is an extreme winter sports event course, as are the three other curb cuts at the intersection.
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NPR @npr.org · 17/01/2026
Homeless women face unique health challenges with few dedicated resources. And as the number of women experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles continues to grow, Dr. Mary Marfisee hopes to bring them lifesaving resources.
n.pr
Unhoused women on Skid Row face dire health outcomes. This doctor wants to change that
Homeless women face unique health challenges with few dedicated resources. And as the number of women experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles continues to grow, Dr. Mary Marfisee hopes to bring them lifesaving resources.
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Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
This was my big concern with RFK Jr.'s fearmongering about autism: That it would lead to the rationalization of draconian quack "treatments" for autism. arstechnica.com/health/2026/...
arstechnica.com
FDA deletes warning on bogus autism therapies touted by RFK Jr.‘s allies
The agency used to warn of chelation, used by RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine ally David Geier.
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David M. Perry @lollardfish.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
You've probably been following the story about fraud in MN. I wrote about the people who provide services who are being driven into bankruptcy, thanks to the Walz' administration decision to hire Optum AI to screen all payments. It's a disaster.
startribune.com
Perry: Trusted providers are being unfairly swept up in Minnesota’s fraud crackdown
As the state's new anti-fraud screening system went into effect, the Holland Center expected to receive $212,000 in payments. It instead received $22,000, David M. Perry writes. If nothing changes soo...
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Stacey Abrams @staceyabrams.com · 03/01/2026
... that’s Step Three in the autocrat's playbook. In our democracy, actions of this magnitude and decisions about what happens next, must go through Congress - not be dictated by a president who admires authoritarians and rules like one.
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Stacey Abrams @staceyabrams.com · 03/01/2026
Foreign policy is not the personal domain of a president. Congress has a constitutional role to serve as the voice of the people and a restraint on power. One of the oldest moves in the authoritarian playbook is to sideline the legislature and strip away checks and balances...
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Stacey Abrams @staceyabrams.com · 03/01/2026
Nicolás Maduro is a brutal dictator who has caused immense suffering. However, the way to fight authoritarianism abroad is not to embrace it at home.
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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 31/12/2025
“I’m honored to be your ancestor and believe that disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.”
motherjones.com
Hero of 2025: Alice Wong
The disability justice icon's last message: "Don’t let the bastards grind you down."
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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
For my hero of 2025 at @motherjones.com, I wrote about the late great disabled disability justice oracle Alice Wong, including her work with Disability Visibility Project, Crips for eSims for Gaza, and #CripTheVote. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
Hero of 2025: Alice Wong
The disability justice icon's last message: "Don’t let the bastards grind you down."
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Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Some work I’m proud of from this year (all of the links are gift links)… I joined street-medicine teams in Phoenix in July as they tried to help unhoused people cope with increasingly extreme heat:
nytimes.com
Homeless and Burning in America’s Hottest City
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NPR @npr.org · 27/12/2025
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities. n.pr/4pWshr5
n.pr
Disability rights advocate Bob Kafka dead at 79
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.
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Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
The caregiving industry could not survive without immigrants. But a third of the staff at one Miami nursing home lost their jobs after the Trump administration ended the programs letting them work legally. www.notus.org/immigration/...
notus.org
‘A Demographic Ticking Time Bomb’: Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Comes for Seniors’ Caretakers
Thirteen percent of immigrants providing long-term care in people’s homes are noncitizens.
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 26/12/2025
Also worth noting that it doesn't seem to account for family caregivers, e.g. a parent who may have left the workforce, and is not at school, in order to care for another family member!
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 26/12/2025
Critiquing social programs and thinking about how they can do better is good, actually. NM is clearly moving toward making this program more inclusive and easier to access over time. I hope that those involved in implementation are thinking about how to incorporate disablity into the future.
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 26/12/2025
I want to be clear that I'm not saying this program is bad, or that the state is acting in bad faith, or that other states shouldn't take this example and run with it. I AM saying that anyone advocating for universal childcare needs to be thinking about how it connects with disablity.
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 26/12/2025
The other is the work/school requirements. This kind of means testing in general isn't great. NM waives in some settings (such as grandparents or housing unstable families), but there does not appear to be a carveout for disabled parents, who I guess don't exist or matter.
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 26/12/2025
One is the fact that some disabled children need medical daycare, which is a really scarce resource. Some childcare facilities will also exclude disabled children even when they don't need specialized care because they're worried about liablity. I'm not seeing much discussion on addressing this!
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 26/12/2025
Not to be That Person but watching the discourse around New Mexico's universal free childcare program, which, to be clear, is a really good start, I don't see a lot of engagement with two pretty significant disablity issues...
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Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
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.
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.A. Likelihood of Success on the Merits
Plaintiffs have demonstrated a strong likelihood of success on the merits of their claim under the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A), (C), that Defendants' suspension of SNAP benefits is contrary to law. At core, Defendants' conclusion that USDA is statutorily prohibited from funding SNAP because Congress has not enacted new appropriations for the
current fiscal year is erroneous. To the contrary, Defendants are statutorily mandated to use the
previously appropriated SNAP contingency reserve when necessary and also have discretion to
use other previously appropriated funds as detailed below.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
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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].Defendants argue out that a "suspension" is permitted under USDA's regulations, and that USDA "has consistently interpreted its authority to allow for the suspension or cancellation of benefits when necessary." Defs. Opp'n 6 [Doc. No. 18). The regulation at issue, 7 C.F.R. $ 271.7(a), sets forth procedures to be followed if monthly SNAP allowances "must be reduced, suspended, or cancelled to comply with section 18 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008"
(emphasis added). But that the regulation allows for a suspension when there are no funds does
not mean that Defendants may choose a suspension over a reduction while funds do remain. If
the regulation did authorize such discretion, it would be inconsistent with the statutory mandate that benefits "shall" be paid unless funding is no longer available.
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Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Network @domesticemployers.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
“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...
disabilityscoop.com
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.
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