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Federal funding for SNAP benefits ran out on Saturday, but two federal courts are throwing Americans who rely on the nutrition assistance program a lifeline. On Friday, two judges separately ordered the Trump administration to continue benefits using emergency reserves, siding with the 25 states that brought the lawsuit and Democratic lawmakers who have been calling on the Agriculture Department to tap into contingency funds for days. "Donald Trump, Republicans, and the administration should not be weaponizing hunger," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) told CNN after the rulings. "What the administration needs to do is comply with the law and make sure that these SNAP benefits don't lapse."In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said they're asking the court to clarify "how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible.""It is already delayed enough due to the Democrats keeping the Government closed through the monthly payment date and, even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed while States get the money out," Trump continued. "If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay. " It wasn't immediately clear how long benefits would be delayed, and whether they would be paid in full. Ahead of the rulings, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told reporters that the contingency fund at the center of the lawsuit "doesn't even cover half of the month of November."In the meantime, some states are using their own money to bridge the gap in SNAP benefits, while others have approved additional funding for food banks bracing for a surge in demand. Shutdown pain picks upThe disruption to SNAP benefits is just one of the government shutdown side effects worsening this weekend. According to the National Head Start Association, roughly 140 Head Start programs won't receive their operational funding, putting some at risk of closure. Head Start provides education, nutrition, and health services to children from low-income families. Meanwhile, flight disruptions are mounting as air traffic controllers continue to work without pay. In a social media post on Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration said a "surge of callouts" is leading to "widespread impacts" across the national airspace system. Air traffic controller shortages are a long-standing issue, and it's not clear how many of the callouts are related to the shutdown. "Currently, half of our Core 30 facilities are experiencing staffing shortages, and nearly 80 percent of air traffic controllers are absent at New York–area facilities," the FAA's post continued. "The shutdown must end so that these controllers receive the pay they’ve earned and travelers can avoid further disruptions and delays."The labor union representing air traffic controllers is now calling on Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government and restore pay, before engaging in bipartisan negotiations "on other pressing issues facing our nation."Most Senate Democrats have repeatedly voted against the clean spending bill passed by the Republican-led House last month. Holdouts are continuing to insist on various health policy demands. Open enrollment kicks off SaturdayDemocrats' demands include extending enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits that are due to expire at the end of this year. If Congress doesn't take further action before then, out-of-pocket health insurance costs could increase for millions of Americans in 2026. For many, premium payments could more than double, according to the health policy research group KFF.Many will get a closer look at steeper premium costs this weekend, as the annual enrollment window for people to pick an individual plan opens Saturday in most states. More from the Washington Bureau: