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America's top court has issued an urgent ruling that permits for now the federal government to delay billions in funding for nutrition assistance used by millions of low-income Americans.

The White House sought relief from the country's highest court after a lower court ordered that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, called food stamps, should be distributed in full to recipients by the end of the week.

The programme has been caught in uncertainty by the continuing budget impasse, with the Trump administration arguing it could only afford to partially fund it.

Friday's ruling means $4bn can be held back for now until more court proceedings.

Programme Impact

The Snap programme is used by tens of millions of U.S. citizens - approximately 12% - and costs almost £6.9bn a month.

On Thursday, a Rhode Island judge, John McConnell, alleged the Trump administration of withholding food aid "for political reasons" and said that without the aid "16 million children are in danger of facing hunger".

The judge mandated the administration to fund the assistance in full.

Legal Background

This decision followed another that ordered the government to dip into reserve money to at least partially fund the programme for November.

This court battle was triggered after the USDA, which manages the Snap programme, stated benefits would be stopped in November due to the lack of funding over the shutdown.

Prior to the high court's action, the Agriculture Department said it was working to comply with the various court orders and was taking steps to distribute the full funds.

Supreme Court Action

High Court Judge Justice Jackson issued the order on Friday evening, known as an administrative stay, effectively freezing the previous decision for 48 hours while government lawyer's pursue an appeal.

The row over food aid funding has become one of the bitterest of what is now the longest government shutdown in US history.

Wider Effects

Government workers have been without pay for more than a month and air travel has been thrown into chaos as Congress members cannot reach a deal to pass a budget.

Some states have drawn on their own financial reserves to keep food benefits flowing, which are valued at around $6 to users via pre-loaded debit cards which can be redeemed in grocery stores.

But some states have said they are cannot cover the funding which has been cut by the U.S. treasury.