SNAP Benefits: Some States Issue Full November Payments After Judge's Order, Supreme Court Stay Leaves Millions in Limbo

Overview

Federally funded SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits reached recipients in several U.S. states this weekend after a federal judge ordered full monthly payments for November. Late Friday, however, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary pause on that order to allow a Boston appeals court to consider an emergency appeal, leaving millions of recipients in some states still uncertain.

What happened

The administration initially said it would not fund November SNAP benefits because of a federal government shutdown. After two judges blocked a complete skip of the month and ordered partial payments from an emergency contingency fund, a judge then required the administration to provide full monthly benefits. The administration appealed that ruling, prompting Justice Jackson’s temporary stay to give the appeals court time to review the request.

Who is affected?

Nearly 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits. Most recipients have incomes below the federal poverty threshold — roughly $32,000 a year for a family of four. Benefit levels vary: an individual can receive up to about $300 a month, and a family of four can receive up to nearly $1,000, though many households receive less under income- and need-based calculations.

Where benefits were distributed

Whether households saw funds on their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards depended on state action and the timing of payments:

• Hawaii, Oregon, Wisconsin: State officials quickly instructed EBT processors to issue full November payments after the judge’s order.
• California, Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington: Officials confirmed some recipients received full payments on Friday.
• Connecticut, Massachusetts: Connecticut reported full benefits by Saturday afternoon; Massachusetts reported roughly 500,000 recipients received payments Saturday with another ~500,000 due next week.
• Washington: More than 250,000 households that missed early-November payments received their full amounts on Friday, the governor said.
• Colorado: About 32,000 recipients received full monthly benefits before the Supreme Court action; more than 560,000 remained waiting.
• Rhode Island: Roughly 79,000 households received full benefits; state officials described ongoing weekend efforts to respond to the situation.
• North Carolina: Officials said more than 190,000 households received $16 or less after the state paused full payments following the Supreme Court action.

Why payments were delayed

The delay stems from the federal government shutdown and legal disputes about funding authority. The administration initially said November benefits would not be paid. After courts blocked a total cutoff, the administration used a contingency fund of more than $4.6 billion to issue partial benefits. A judge later ordered broader use of funds to make full payments, prompting an appeal and Justice Jackson’s temporary hold while the appeals court reviews the case.

What this means now

The Supreme Court’s temporary stay did not reverse payments already made in some states, but it paused further enforcement of the lower-court order while the appeals court considers the administration’s request. Many states are awaiting guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP, before distributing additional funds.

Impact and response

Delays have increased demand at food banks, pantries, and free-meal distributions, producing long lines and prompting some states to provide emergency funding to community organizations or to make temporary direct payments themselves.

What recipients can do

If you rely on SNAP and are unsure whether your November benefit has been issued, check your state’s human services or social services website and your EBT account. Contact local food banks and community programs for immediate assistance, as many have expanded emergency services during this period of uncertainty.

Note: The legal situation may change quickly as appeals proceed. Recipients should monitor official state and USDA announcements for the latest distribution updates.