SNAP benefits will start flowing again on or around November 5, 2025, after two federal courts forced the government to release emergency money during the shutdown. More than 42 million Americans who depend on food stamps were left waiting when payments stopped on November 1st.
Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Treasury Department to use $5.25 billion in emergency contingency funds to restart the program. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on November 2 that the Trump administration will follow the court orders and not appeal the decision.
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The government shutdown had blocked the regular funding that pays for SNAP each month. Without authorization from Congress, the payments could not go out as scheduled. This left 16 million children and millions of families uncertain about how they would buy groceries.
States are now working to reload EBT cards so recipients can access their November benefits. The timing varies by state because each one has different systems and schedules. Some areas might see delays of a few extra days while they update their payment systems.
What Recipients Need to Know
- Payments may be smaller than usual because the emergency funds are limited
- You can still use any money left over from previous months on your EBT card
- Benefits should arrive around November 5, but your state’s exact date may differ
- The average SNAP benefit was about $183 per person in October 2025
- This is a temporary solution while Congress works on the budget
The court-ordered emergency funding is not a permanent fix. It only covers November payments and possibly into early December. Congress must pass a budget or continuing resolution to restore full SNAP funding for the months ahead.
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Food stamp recipients do not need to reapply or take any action. The benefits will automatically load onto existing EBT cards once each state completes its processing. Those who normally receive payments early in the month should check their cards starting November 5th.
Some states issue SNAP on different days based on case numbers or last names. Check your state’s Department of Human Services website or the official USDA Food and Nutrition Service portal at fns.usda.gov for your specific payment schedule.
The shutdown affected only new monthly payments. Any balance remaining on EBT cards from October or earlier months stayed available. Recipients could continue using those funds to buy eligible food items at authorized stores.
Child nutrition programs, senior food assistance, and WIC benefits face similar uncertainty. The emergency court orders focused specifically on SNAP, leaving other nutrition programs waiting for separate solutions.
Advocacy groups praised the court decisions but warned that millions of vulnerable Americans should not have faced this crisis. Food banks across the country reported increased demand as families worried about losing their primary source of grocery money.
Federal law requires SNAP payments within specific timeframes, which is why judges granted the emergency orders. The courts ruled that stopping food assistance during appropriations disputes violated recipients’ rights under existing regulations.
Treasury officials are coordinating with all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to ensure the money reaches EBT systems quickly. Most states expect to complete the uploads between November 5 and November 8, according to statements from state human services agencies.
Recipients should monitor their EBT accounts and contact their local SNAP office if benefits do not appear by November 10. Keep checking official government sources like USDA.gov and your state’s benefits portal for the latest updates on payment timing and amounts.
