The Trump administration told states in a memo on Friday that it is working to comply with a federal court order requiring full November payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
In the memo, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it would “complete the processes necessary” to make SNAP funds available later in the day.
The update came after the administration asked the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals for an emergency stay that would pause a lower-court ruling directing the federal government to immediately provide full November benefits by shifting funds from other sources during the ongoing government shutdown.
SNAP payments have been disrupted as the shutdown stretches into its second month. The USDA previously posted a notice on its website warning that “the well has run dry” and that no benefits would be issued on November 1.
Why It Matters
About 42 million Americans rely on SNAP each month to help afford groceries. The benefits are issued on an EBT card that can be used for eligible food items, providing crucial support for low-income households.
What the USDA Memo Says
In the newly released memo, the USDA said it would “complete the processes necessary to make funds available” so states can provide full SNAP benefits.
The memo does not address the administration’s late Friday effort to halt the full payouts through an emergency request to the appeals court. A lower court had ordered the administration to continue issuing benefits even as the shutdown—beginning October 1—continues.
The USDA also said it is communicating with states on “future developments.”
When Will Benefits Hit EBT Cards?
It remains unclear when recipients nationwide will see full November benefits reflected on their EBT cards.
Some states, including California and Wisconsin, reported that recipients had already received full November payments on Thursday.
“Food benefits are now beginning to flow back to California families,” Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement.
Why the Administration Initially Limited Payments
The administration paused full SNAP payments in November, citing the shutdown’s effect on available funding.
After being ordered to pay benefits from a contingency fund, only enough money was available to cover 65 percent of the maximum monthly benefit.
In its court filing Friday, the administration argued that requiring full SNAP funding violates the U.S. Constitution.
“This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers. Courts hold neither the power to appropriate nor the power to spend,” the U.S. Department of Justice wrote in its request.
Why Benefits Were Paused in the First Place
SNAP benefits were originally paused on November 1 due to the government shutdown.
With Republicans and Democrats still at odds over a funding bill—and disagreements tied to the lack of an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies—funding has not been allocated for certain government operations, including SNAP, despite the program serving more than 40 million low-income Americans.
When Could the Shutdown End?
The shutdown continues as Congress remains deadlocked over the spending bill.
Earlier, Senator Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, introduced the Keep SNAP Funded 5 Act of 2025.
“Needy families in Missouri should not be going hungry because a bunch of politicians in DC can’t figure out how to open the government,” Hawley said in a statement. “650,000 people in Missouri depend on help when it comes to the price of food and groceries. I don’t want to see these folks go without food. I hope everybody will support this legislation.”
Who Receives SNAP?
Roughly 42 million Americans rely on SNAP each month, including many seniors and children, to help afford nutritious food.
What People Are Saying
Senator James Lankford said in a statement: “The Trump Administration has tried to shield the American people from the harmful effects of this Democrat shutdown. But as the shutdown drags on, the reality is the only way to guarantee paychecks for federal employees, keep America’s skies safe for travelers, and ensure critical safety-net programs remain available for Oklahomans in need is to reopen the government. Under President Biden, this same type of clean continuing resolution passed on a bipartisan basis thirteen times. Now, under President Trump, it’s exceptionally disappointing to see Democrats choosing politics over paychecks and the most vulnerable.”
Democracy Forward President and CEO Skye Perryman said in a statement: “It shouldn’t take a court order to force our President to provide essential nutrition that Congress has made clear needs to be provided. But since that is what it takes, we will continue to use the courts to protect the rights of people.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, previously told Newsweek: “While it’s certainly welcome news to hear SNAP payments will resume in the coming weeks, just how long it will be before beneficiaries see those benefits could come down to a range of factors, including the state in which they reside. The Trump Administration will be using emergency funds from the Department of Agriculture to make SNAP payments, but this fund can only cover a portion of the typical amount. This equates to billions of dollars having to be recoded at an administrative level before being distributed to states. The amount and timeliness of payments will depend on how quickly this process can occur at the federal and state level.”
What Happens Next
Officials have not said how quickly full benefits will reliably reach recipients nationwide. In the meantime, some states are exploring stopgap measures to cover shortfalls.
“Some states are using their own funds to fill any gaps and pay out benefits at this time. States that are doing this have been warned they will not receive any reimbursement of those benefits,” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek.
