The Trump administration informed a Rhode Island federal judge that it will use $4.65 billion in contingency funds to pay only 50% of November SNAP benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown.

The move affects about 42 million low-income Americans who rely on food stamps.

The administration rejected the judge’s suggestion to make full payments using additional funds from the Child Nutrition Program.

Judge Jack McConnell had previously ruled that the government could not stop SNAP payments during the shutdown, CNBC has reported.

Advocacy group Democracy Forward and state leaders, including Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, criticized the decision, arguing that the administration could and should fully fund the benefits to prevent hunger among American families.