SNAP Restored to Full Funding — Many Households Still Waiting for Payments

SNAP Restored to Full Funding After Shutdown, But Timing of Payments Remains Unclear

After weeks of legal disputes and partial disbursements, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be restored to full funding now that the U.S. government’s 43‑day shutdown has ended. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance directing states to proceed with full SNAP benefit payments for November and December.

About 42 million Americans rely on SNAP for food, including roughly 16 million children, as well as many elderly people, veterans and people with disabilities. While advocates welcomed the USDA’s move, they warned that operational steps — especially coordination with third‑party payment vendors and state agencies — mean many households may not see funds immediately.

Uneven state action complicates timing

States took different approaches during the shutdown: 19 issued full November payments, 18 sent partial benefits and 13 issued no November payments at all. That uneven distribution is the central reason why some families will receive benefits sooner than others. Legal and technical steps to issue the remaining funds could take at least a week in states that already sent partial payments; states that sent no payments may be able to act more quickly.

"This is a unique situation. There has never before been a pause in SNAP payments or a recommendation for partial benefits," said Claire Borzner, director of Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.

Human impact and community response

Child and nutrition advocates described intense stress for families forced to choose between buying food and paying rent or utilities. Melissa Boteach, chief policy officer at ZERO TO THREE, said the pause exposed weaknesses in the government infrastructure needed to run SNAP and called the disruption deeply harmful to families.

Across the country, community groups and schools stepped in to help. For example, Seattle’s Alliance for Education set aside $150,000 for grocery gift cards and helped raise an additional $70,000 to support families. Food pantries and local fundraising efforts also reported increased demand and donations.

Legal background and outlook

The federal government had threatened to withhold November SNAP benefits and twice asked the U.S. Supreme Court for permission to distribute only partial payments. The USDA briefly authorized full payments in a narrow window, then sought to reclaim funds from some states that acted during that period. Historically, SNAP payments have not been halted during prior shutdowns; critics say the recent actions amounted to using food assistance as leverage in budget negotiations.

The continuing resolution approved this week secures SNAP funding for a full year, reducing the risk of another interruption when the stopgap measure expires in January. Recipients will still face longer‑term impacts from budget changes enacted earlier this year, including cuts to SNAP funding under recent legislation.

What recipients should expect

• States that issued no November benefits are likely to be able to distribute payments fastest, possibly within days.
• States that issued partial payments may need at least a week to issue the remaining amounts.
• Recipients should watch their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) accounts and contact their state SNAP office or local social services agency with questions.

Advocates urged transparency and swift action to ensure families receive the full benefits they need. "Families should not have had to go through this pain," Borzner said. "This program could have continued to operate for November as it normally does. None of this needed to happen."