Hannah ParryRobert BirselAmanda Castro

By Hannah Parry, Robert Birsel, and Amanda Castro

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President Donald Trump's signing of a Senate and House-approved GOP funding bill that ended the nation’s longest government shutdown late on Wednesday means the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is finally set to resume payments. Millions of Americans have received no federal food assistance in November due to the 43-day shutdown, while others received partial funds or full payments between the court battles.

When to Expect SNAP Payments

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Nov 14, 2025 at 08:42 PM EST

How SNAP benefits improve health and family stability

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) does more than put food on the table. By covering grocery costs, the program frees up household budgets for rent, utilities, medicine, and other essentials, reducing financial strain for millions of families.

Experts say the ripple effects of food security are profound. Julia Wolfson, a professor of health policy, notes that children without reliable access to nutritious meals face higher risks of asthma, poor academic performance, and behavioral challenges. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable, with food insecurity linked to depression, anxiety, and increased school absenteeism, according to Kristin Mmari, a public health researcher.

Without SNAP, families often turn to cheaper, less nutritious foods, raising risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Susan Gross, a professor of public health, adds that SNAP helps households afford fresh produce they might not otherwise be able to afford. Malnutrition tied to food insecurity can also weaken immune systems, worsen oral health, and drive up medical costs.

The consequences extend beyond health. Gross warns that food insecurity can push families toward homelessness, forcing them to choose between paying for meals, rent, or medicine. SNAP, she says, remains a critical safety net that stabilizes households and strengthens communities.

Nov 14, 2025 at 07:27 PM EST

How Snap works: Eligibility, benefits and EBT access

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s most extensive federal nutrition program, is funded through the Farm Bill and administered by states, which distribute benefits to eligible residents. Recipients can use the money for food and beverages, but not for alcohol, tobacco, nonfood items, or most prepared meals.

Eligibility is based on income, assets, household size, immigration status, and proof of employment. Generally, households must earn at or below 130% of the poverty line. For fiscal year 2025, that meant a three-person household could qualify with a gross monthly income of $2,798 or less. Children make up nearly 40% of participants, while seniors and people with disabilities account for another 30%.

Despite its reach—SNAP spending totaled $99.8 billion in 2024—benefits remain modest, averaging $187 per participant per month, or just a few dollars per meal. Experts note the program is highly efficient, with most funds going directly to food purchases.

Benefits are calculated using the USDA Thrifty Food Plan, which estimates the cost of three low-cost, healthy meals a day for a family of four. Approved applicants receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card loaded monthly that functions like a debit card. Families can apply through their state’s Department of Social Services, often online, by mail, or in person.

Nov 14, 2025 at 06:41 PM EST

What is SNAP?

Created in 1964 under President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program remains the nation’s most significant initiative to combat hunger, serving an average of 41.7 million Americans each month — roughly one in eight people.

Experts say the program, commonly known as food stamps, was designed to help families afford meals amid rising food costs and continues to provide critical support to vulnerable groups, including children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. With benefits averaging only a few dollars per person per day, SNAP is often the difference between stability and food insecurity.

Julia Wolfson, a professor of health policy, warned that without SNAP, the country would face “a potential public health crisis of food insecurity and hunger.” Beyond its role in feeding families, the program also stimulates the economy, serving as a vital source of income for retailers, according to Susan Gross, a professor of public health.

As food costs remain high, experts emphasize that protecting and strengthening SNAP is essential to preventing poverty-driven hunger and ensuring millions of Americans can meet basic nutritional needs.

Nov 14, 2025 at 05:35 PM EST

Auburn food banks strain under snap suspension

The temporary suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits earlier this month left Auburn-area food banks scrambling to meet demand. Beat Bama Food Drive and the Food Bank of East Alabama reported a surge in families seeking help, even as state officials pledged to fully reinstate benefits following the end of the government shutdown.

Martha Henk, executive director of the Food Bank of East Alabama, described recent days as “chaotic,” noting that more than 175 partner agencies rely on the organization. She said calls from both families in need and volunteers have spiked, comparing the situation to the sudden strain of a natural disaster, per the Auburn Plainsman.

Food insecurity has also hit college students hard. Jackson Wells, president of Beat Bama Food Drive, said about one in three students face food insecurity, with graduate students affected at even higher rates. He warned that lack of access to nutritious food undermines both academic and social life.

Despite the challenges, Wells said the food drive remains strong and is expected to grow in its final week. He hopes to expand efforts through a new program, Backpack Buddies, to support elementary students struggling with hunger.

Henk emphasized the importance of donations, noting that $1 can provide seven meals. “Support your local food bank,” Wells added, stressing that contributions of food and money are critical to ensuring families have meals through the holidays and beyond.

Nov 14, 2025 at 04:23 PM EST

Jeffries: Shutdown hurt Americans as GOP blocked health care aid

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Thursday that the recent government shutdown left “the American people as the real losers,” arguing Republicans chose gridlock over extending health care subsidies.

Speaking on CNN, Jeffries criticized GOP leaders for refusing to renew Affordable Care Act tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of December. He warned that without action, millions could face rising premiums and reduced access to care.

Jeffries said Democrats have introduced legislation to extend the credits for three years, but accused Republicans of prioritizing political fights over affordability. He pointed to states such as West Virginia, Texas, and Mississippi as among the hardest hit by the lapse.

The shutdown, which lasted 43 days, ended only after Congress passed a short-term spending bill. Jeffries said Democrats will continue pressing for bipartisan agreements that lower costs and protect health care, while framing the shutdown as evidence of Republican “inaction and extremism.”

Nov 14, 2025 at 03:40 PM EST

Federal workers and SNAP recipients begin receiving post-shutdown relief

With the government reopened after the most extended shutdown in U.S. history, agencies are moving quickly to restore paychecks and benefits to millions of Americans who went weeks without support.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said her department has begun issuing full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for November. Most recipients should see payments by Monday, though timing may vary by state. The lapse left nearly 42 million Americans unsure about their eligibility for grocery assistance.

Congressional staffers are also beginning to receive pay again. Senate employees were notified they would get three paychecks within a week to cover missed wages.

Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced $10,000 bonuses for select Transportation Security Administration officers who worked throughout the shutdown, citing their “exemplary service.”

The measures mark the first steps toward normalcy after more than a million federal employees went unpaid during the 43-day spending freeze.

Nov 14, 2025 at 02:51 PM EST

Thanksgiving flyers face lingering disruptions despite shutdown deal

Air travelers heading home for Thanksgiving are seeing some relief after President Donald Trump signed H.R. 5371, the funding bill that ended the nation’s longest government shutdown. The move has eased pressure on airports where FAA-mandated cuts had triggered thousands of delays and cancellations.

Flight disruptions, however, remain widespread. More than 600 U.S. flights were canceled and over 500 were delayed early Friday, according to FlightAware, down from nearly 1,000 cancellations the day before. Staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and ongoing flight reductions continue to strain the system.

The Department of Transportation has frozen cuts at 6 percent across 40 major airports, short of the planned 10 percent, as more controllers return to work. Still, travelers face higher costs: domestic fares are projected to rise 6 percent over Thanksgiving week and 7 percent during the year-end holidays.

Nov 14, 2025 at 01:44 PM EST

Museums begin reopening after shutdown

After more than a month of closures during the government shutdown, several Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., will reopen to visitors this weekend.

The National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum, including its Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport, are set to reopen on Friday. On Saturday, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of African Art, the National Museum of Asian Art, the National Zoo, and the National Museum of Natural History will welcome visitors, with the latter opening at noon.

By Monday, the remaining Smithsonian museums, research centers, and public buildings will resume operations on a rolling basis. The National Gallery of Art, which is not part of the Smithsonian, will partially reopen on Friday and fully reopen on Saturday.

Nov 14, 2025 at 12:38 PM EST

SNAP payments to resume after shutdown delays

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Thursday that all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients should receive their November benefits by Monday, following weeks of disruption caused by the government shutdown.

The suspension of payments left millions of low-income Americans uncertain and forced food banks nationwide to shoulder added demand. Confusion also spread among states as courts weighed whether the federal government was obligated to fund benefits during the shutdown. Some states issued full payments, others partial payments, and some issued none at all.

Rollins told CNN that the department began moving funds immediately after the government reopened. “Hopefully by the end of this week, most will receive it, at the very latest on Monday,” she said, noting that timing could vary depending on state infrastructure.

Nov 14, 2025 at 11:42 AM EST

SNAP benefits map: When recipients will receive full payment in each state

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have finally been restored after several weeks of late and partial payments caused by the federal government shutdown.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a funding bill that officially ends the nation’s longest government shutdown, allowing SNAP to resume issuing payments. The president approved the long-delayed measure just hours after the House passed it in a 222–209 vote following the Senate’s approval earlier in the week.

For weeks, millions of SNAP-reliant households had been stuck in uncertainty as the 43-day shutdown froze funding and sowed confusion across the country. The program, which provides food assistance to roughly 42 million low- and no-income Americans every month, has been mired in legal battles ever since the administration said November benefits would not be issued due to the lapse in federal funding in October. That announcement triggered several lawsuits, leading to conflicting court rulings, including from the Supreme Court, over whether benefits could be paid prior to the government reopening.

Read in full: SNAP Benefits Map: When Recipients Will Receive Full Payment In Each State

Nov 14, 2025 at 10:39 AM EST

SNAP benefits resume as shutdown ends, but trust shaken

With the federal government reopening after a 43-day shutdown, monthly food assistance is set to resume for the 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Yet advocates warn the lapse has left lasting damage, eroding confidence in the nation’s largest anti-hunger program.

The shutdown marked the first time SNAP benefits were interrupted in the program’s history. President Trump’s refusal to release contingency funds forced states, nonprofits, and courts into emergency action to keep aid flowing. Lawsuits compelled the administration to tap reserves, but delays left families rationing meals and overwhelmed food banks.

“This is a catastrophe that was completely avoidable,” said Catherine D’Amato of the Greater Boston Food Bank, which distributed more than 500,000 extra pounds of food last week. Sarah Saadian of the National Council of Nonprofits added that the episode shattered expectations that the government would prevent hunger.

Critics say the administration’s handling of SNAP reflects a broader effort to shrink the federal safety net, in contrast to expansions under President Biden. Trump and his allies have argued the program is costly and prone to abuse, even as it serves one in eight Americans across political lines.

While Congress has now funded SNAP for a full year, lawmakers did not expand its emergency reserves. Advocates caution that without stronger safeguards, another shutdown could again jeopardize benefits. “There’s work to do to make sure people can count on it,” said Crystal FitzSimons of the Food Research & Action Center.

Nov 14, 2025 at 09:31 AM EST

Federal government reopens after record shutdown, lingering fallout remains

The federal government began reopening Thursday after a 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, allowing national parks, courts, and agencies to resume normal operations. Employees streamed back into offices, museums prepared to reopen, and air traffic restrictions eased ahead of the busy holiday travel season.

The shutdown’s toll was severe. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett estimated losses of $14 billion per week, or up to 1.5 percent of GDP, and the loss of 60,000 nonfederal jobs. Federal workers endured weeks without pay, while millions of low-income families faced delays in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said most households would see deposits by Monday, though several states began issuing aid sooner.

Damage was visible across public lands, where understaffed parks saw vandalism at Gettysburg, illegal off-road driving in Arches, and parachuting off Yosemite’s El Capitan. Advocates had urged closures to prevent such incidents.

Agencies are now working through backlogs, restoring system access, and preparing back pay. Some employees will also receive $10,000 bonuses, including TSA officers and air traffic controllers who worked without missing shifts. Union leaders welcomed the recognition but argued that all staff deserved relief.

Nov 14, 2025 at 08:27 AM EST

TSA officers join air traffic controllers in receiving shutdown bonuses

Transportation Security Administration officers will receive $10,000 bonuses for their work during the nation’s longest government shutdown, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Thursday. The move follows President Trump’s recommendation that air traffic controllers with perfect attendance be rewarded for staying on the job without pay.

Noem distributed the first checks at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, where travelers recently faced long lines due to staffing shortages. She did not specify how eligibility would be determined, but said employees who took on extra shifts could qualify.

Both TSA officers and air traffic controllers were required to work through the six-week shutdown without pay, leading to rising absences as many sought outside income. Administration officials indicated that those who missed shifts to take side jobs would not be eligible for the bonuses.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praised Trump’s proposal as “brilliant” and suggested some controllers might receive their checks directly from the president. Union leaders welcomed the recognition but urged broader relief. Nick Daniels of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said he would “take anything that recognizes these hardworking men and women,” while Johnny J. Jones of the TSA union argued that all employees deserved compensation for enduring the 43-day freeze.

Nov 14, 2025 at 07:20 AM EST

SNAP cuts threaten food security despite end of shutdown

The end of the government shutdown may ease immediate concerns for millions of Americans, but for those relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), deeper problems remain. Advocates warn that recent budget cuts and outdated benefit formulas could worsen food insecurity nationwide.

For decades, SNAP benefits have been tied to the Thrifty Food Plan, a formula created in the 1970s to outline a “nutritious, cost-effective diet.” Critics say the plan was built for a different era, assuming households had hours each day to cook from scratch. Even after a long-delayed 2021 update that raised benefits by 21 percent, recipients still average just $6.30 per day for food. Many families exhaust most of their monthly allotment within two weeks.

Kris Adler, a single mother in Los Angeles, said she often skips meals to ensure her children eat. “It’s just barely enough,” she explained. “Toward the end of the month, it starts to get scary.”

The situation is poised to worsen under the “One Big Beautiful Act,” passed in July, which slashes $37 billion from SNAP’s budget and halts future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan. Policy experts caution that the cuts undermine SNAP’s role as an “automatic stabilizer,” a program designed to quickly support families when incomes fall.

About 42 million Americans currently receive SNAP, including 23 million adults and 17 million children. Recipients span racial and economic backgrounds, with many working in low-wage sectors such as food service and child care. Yet despite its reach, the program is increasingly constrained. New USDA waivers now allow states to restrict what foods can be purchased, banning items from soda to granola bars, while funding for SNAP-Ed — a nutrition education program — has been eliminated.

Crystal FitzSimons of the Food Research and Action Center summed up the challenge: “Six dollars a day is not a lot. There are people in this country who spend more on a cup of coffee.”

Nov 14, 2025 at 12:32 AM EST

Agriculture secretary says benefits will be restored by Monday at the latest

Recipients of SNAP benefits should receive them again by Monday at the latest, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told CNN.

“Hopefully by the end of this week, most will receive it, at the very latest on Monday,” Rollins, whose department administers the SNAP program, told CNN.

“It’s moving, it’s coming and for those who really depend on it, good news is on the way,” she said.

Rollins also had some criticism for the program.

“Snap is a broken program, SNAP is full of corruption. We found 186,000 dead people,” Rollins said, citing what she said was partial data from only 29 states.

“It’s remarkable."

Nov 13, 2025 at 10:40 PM EST

How many Americans are on SNAP benefits?

About 1 in 8 U.S. residents receive benefits, nearly 42 million Americans, receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, including low-income families, children and seniors.

In the fiscal year 2024, SNAP provided monthly support to an average of 41.7 million people—representing 12.3 percent of the U.S. population.

Participation varied widely by state, with New Mexico reporting the highest share at 21.2 percent and Utah the lowest at 4.8 percent.

Across the country, 36 states saw between 8 and 16 percent of their residents receiving SNAP benefits, underscoring the program’s broad reach amid ongoing economic pressures.

Nov 13, 2025 at 09:40 PM EST

Will SNAP recipients receive full November benefits? What to know

SNAP recipients are expected to receive their full November benefits after President Donald Trump signed a Senate and House-approved bill which ended the longest government shutdown in history.

Recipients can expect the restoration of payments in the next few days, but the timing and process may vary by state.

Some states, who have not issued any benefits during the shutdown—such as South Carolina and West Virginia—are expected to release payments within 24 hours to three days of the funding release, according to the USDA.

States that issued only partial benefits may need additional time to correct and complete payments.

Nov 13, 2025 at 08:40 PM EST

Top ten states most dependent on food stamps

New Mexico has the highest Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reliance in the U.S., with over 21 percent of residents enrolled in the food assistance program, which is around double the national average.

The average monthly benefit for recipients in the state is $176.51 per person, totaling over $80 million in monthly aid.

Meanwhile, Wyoming and Utah report the lowest participation, with about 5 percent of their populations on food stamps.

Top ten states:

Nov 13, 2025 at 07:40 PM EST

What to know about Costco’s grocery SNAP program

Costco Wholesale confirms that all of its warehouse locations accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for eligible purchases. The company complies with state-specific regulations governing which items can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

While EBT cards can be used at Costco, the range of qualifying products varies by state. Customers are encouraged to contact their state’s SNAP agency for detailed information on approved items. Additional resources about SNAP programs and state contact lists are available through official government channels.

Nov 13, 2025 at 06:40 PM EST

How much does SNAP cost the government per month?

The federal government spent $100.3 billion on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in fiscal year 2024, accounting for 1.5% of total federal spending. Administered by the Department of Agriculture, SNAP provides monthly food assistance to low-income households through electronic benefit transfers.

SNAP spending in FY 2024 was down 24.1% from its inflation-adjusted peak of $132.2 billion in FY 2021, when pandemic-era boosts temporarily increased benefits. Of the FY 2024 total, $93.8 billion (93.5%) went directly to monthly benefits, with the remainder funding administrative costs, nutrition education, and employment programs.

The average monthly benefit per participant was $188, a drop from $253 in FY 2021. For FY 2025, maximum allotments range from $292 for a single-person household to $1,800 for a household of eight in the lower 48 states and Washington, D.C., with higher limits in U.S. territories.

Nov 13, 2025 at 05:40 PM EST

When did food stamps start in the US?

The origins of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) trace back to 1939, when the U.S. launched its first food stamp initiative in Rochester, New York. Designed to combat both hunger and agricultural surpluses during the Great Depression, the program used orange stamps for general food purchases and blue stamps for surplus items. It ended in 1943 as economic conditions improved.

The concept resurfaced in 1961 as a pilot under President Kennedy. Three years later, the Food Stamp Act of 1964 established the program as a permanent federal initiative. By 1974, it had expanded nationwide. In 2008, the program was officially renamed SNAP, reflecting its modern role in addressing food insecurity nationwide.

Nov 13, 2025 at 04:40 PM EST

Do SNAP benefits roll over? What to know about EBT card rules

If you receive SNAP benefits, any unused funds on your EBT card will automatically roll over to the next month. That means you don’t need to spend your full balance each month—your benefits will remain available for future use.

However, there’s a catch: if your EBT card remains inactive for too long, you could lose those benefits permanently. Federal guidelines state that after 274 days (about nine months) of no activity, your remaining balance may be removed. Even a small purchase, like a piece of fruit, resets the clock and keeps your account active.

To protect your benefits:

Some states may temporarily move unused benefits offline after three months of inactivity, requiring you to contact your SNAP office to restore access. Staying informed and active is key to keeping your support uninterrupted.

Nov 13, 2025 at 03:40 PM EST

Who is eligible for SNAP benefits?

Eligibility for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits depends on several factors, including income, household size, expenses, and citizenship status.

Income Requirements

Resource (Asset) Limits

Citizenship and Residency

Nov 13, 2025 at 02:40 PM EST

What are SNAP’s newest requirements?

SNAP's work requirements apply to most adults who are able-bodied and do not have dependents. Recipients generally must work, participate in a job training program, or actively look for work to receive benefits.

A key part of this is the ABAWD rule—short for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents. ABAWDs are subject to a three-month limit on SNAP benefits within a three-year period if they do not meet the work requirements. This means that unless they are working at least 20 hours per week, participating in a qualifying work program, or are otherwise exempt, ABAWDs can lose their SNAP benefits after three months. States can apply for waivers to lift or modify the time limit in areas with high unemployment or other economic hardship.

The new rules change who can be exempt from SNAP's three-month time limit for ABAWD. The upper age exception has been raised to cover those 65 and under, up from 59, while the exemption for caring for a dependent child now applies only to parents or guardians of children under 14, down from 18. At the same time, longstanding exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and young adults who aged out of foster care at 24 or younger have been eliminated under the bill.

You are still excused from ABAWD work requirements if you are unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation or are pregnant.

Nov 13, 2025 at 02:00 PM EST

How much will your SNAP card balance be? What to know

A SNAP card balance is determined by a household's income, expenses, and size, so amounts vary by individual.

Recipients can check their specific balance on the ebtEDGE website or app, or call the customer service number on the back of their card. They can also check the balance at ATMs or through the ebtEDGE App.

The balance may also be affected by whether the recipients' state already began making partial payments of their benefits this month.

Nov 13, 2025 at 01:40 PM EST

SNAP court battles during shutdown explained

During the protracted federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — the nation’s largest food‐aid initiative — became a flashpoint in a legal and political showdown with the Donald Trump administration.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that, because Congress had not adopted full appropriations due to the shutdown, it lacked the legal authority to disburse the full monthly SNAP payments. The agency estimated that full benefit payments cost between $8.5 billion and $9 billion each month. Instead, the administration proposed either suspending payments entirely or issuing only partial benefits for November, citing a roughly $5.25 billion contingency fund and arguing it did not have clear legal power to tap other funds.

In response, a number of states, cities and nonprofit organizations — led by Democratic attorneys general and governors — filed lawsuits in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island arguing that the suspension or reduction of SNAP benefits was unlawful and would inflict irreparable harm on vulnerable households. They contended that Congress had previously provided emergency reserves precisely to cover such contingencies and that the USDA must draw on those funds.

On October 31, two federal judges issued near-simultaneous rulings. In Rhode Island, Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the USDA to begin using the contingency funds “as soon as possible” to cover November benefits, finding that the Administration’s refusal to tap the available funds was “arbitrary.” In Massachusetts, Judge Indira Talwani ruled that the suspension was based on an “erroneous conclusion” that the funds could not be used, and she gave the USDA until the following Monday to clarify how it would proceed with at least partial payments.

The Administration responded by partially funding benefits, but issued new guidance making the benefits more restrictive. Meanwhile, President Trump announced he planned to stop SNAP entirely during the shutdown.

McConnell, dissatisfied with the delays and restrictions that followed the Trump administration’s efforts, then decided to issue another order on November 6, in which he instructed the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits for November by the following day.

The Trump administration immediately appealed the decision and the Supreme Court granted an emergency stay of the lower court order, temporarily allowing the Trump administration to continue with partial payments while the case is appealed.

The extended legal battles only caused more confusion and panic to the millions of Americans on SNAP benefits, as well as the states and organizations that scrambled to try and step into the gap left by the food assistance program.

Nov 13, 2025 at 01:00 PM EST

When are SNAP benefits coming back?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to resume payments to millions of Americans who faced weeks of delays and uncertainty amid the government shutdown.

While some families received partial or full benefits before the 43-day stalemate ended, many are still waiting for crucial funds.

Recipients can expect the restoration of payments in the coming days, though the timing and process may vary by state.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) spokesperson told Newsweek via email that recipients of SNAP benefit funds can expect to receive them "upon the government reopening, within 24 hours for most States."

Distribution of benefits is managed by state and local agencies via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, so the speed of payments will vary.

Read in full: SNAP Benefits Timeline: When Payments Will Resume After Shutdown Ends

Nov 13, 2025 at 12:40 PM EST

Can immigrants get SNAP benefits?

Some immigrants are entitled to SNAP benefits, something which has been a point of contention for those seeking to restrict immigration to the U.S., or have concern that those not paying into the system are benefiting from it.

Naturalized U.S. citizens and green card holders are eligible for SNAP, but many other categories of immigrants are not, such as those on work visas or Temporary Protected Status.

Under Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, refugees and asylees lost access to the program.

Nov 13, 2025 at 12:27 PM EST

What is SNAP?

The program, which serves about one in eight Americans and costs roughly $8 billion a month, is a cornerstone of the nation’s social safety net.

Those enrolled in the program receive monthly payments to an electronic card, which they can then use to pay for groceries and meals.

Suspension of the food assistance program in November sent states, food banks and SNAP recipients scrambling to figure out how to secure food. But it appears that the benefits are finally set to resume as the government returns to work.

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