In Boston, two judges are poised to deliver a decision as early as Friday regarding whether the Trump administration must continue providing SNAP food aid benefits for November, amid the ongoing government shutdown.

The verdicts could significantly impact the grocery purchasing power of approximately one in every eight Americans.

Even if a ruling favors maintaining SNAP benefits, the program’s 61-year history could still face delays, as beneficiaries might experience interruptions in the reloading of the debit cards used for grocery purchases. Since this process typically requires one to two weeks, it may already be too late to ensure funds are available on cards at the start of November.

During a Boston hearing on Thursday, a legal challenge brought forth by Democratic officials from 25 states was discussed. One federal judge expressed skepticism about the administration’s claim that SNAP benefits could be suspended.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, appointed by former President Obama, indicated to attorneys that if the government cannot fund the benefits, there is a proper protocol to follow rather than abruptly halting all aid. “The steps involve finding an equitable way of reducing benefits,” Talwani stated.