Many families across the country are still waiting for their full November SNAP food stamp payments after weeks of shutdown delays, court fights, and mixed federal instructions. The USDA and state agencies are trying to catch up, but problems continue for millions of EBT users.
The federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, interrupted normal SNAP funding. States could not send regular deposits because federal money was frozen. When the shutdown ended on November 12, payments resumed, but many families had already received late or reduced benefits.
Some states tried to help early. A few governors used state emergency funds to protect families from missing food money. Connecticut approved $72 million to cover full November deposits, and Delaware also moved fast to send quick relief. Other states waited for federal guidance, which kept changing.
For weeks, the USDA sent instructions that confused state SNAP agencies. At one point, federal officials told states to stop sending full payments. Later, they ordered agencies to undo some deposits that had already gone out. These sudden reversals created administrative chaos and slowed down EBT processing.
Court orders made the situation even more complicated. Several federal judges said the Trump administration must fully fund November SNAP, either through normal funding or emergency dollars. Some states followed the court orders and issued full benefits right away. Others only sent partial payments because federal guidance remained unclear.
Families were left trying to understand why neighbors in another state got more or less money. Many people checked their EBT cards daily, unsure when the rest of their benefits would arrive. The USDA, federal courts, and state agencies are still working through the backlog, according to public updates.
States are now processing back pay for households that only received part of their November benefits. These extra deposits may arrive over several days or weeks because state systems remain overloaded. Officials from multiple state human services departments say technical delays are still possible as they review case files.
People who use SNAP are being urged to:
- Check your EBT balance at least once a day.
- Look for messages from your state SNAP office.
- Watch for supplemental payments or “catch-up” deposits.
- Follow updates posted by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
Millions of families are also worried about December SNAP payments. State officials say the goal is to return to a normal schedule, but ongoing court cases and federal policy debates may continue to cause changes. The Social Security Administration and other agencies have warned that more disruptions could happen if funding battles continue.
The legal fight now centers on whether the federal government must use broader emergency funds and how quickly it can send the money out. The U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to step in more than once this month, adding more uncertainty for states trying to follow the rules.
With more than 42 million Americans relying on SNAP, the stakes remain high. Many families say they are worried about groceries, rent, and other bills because of the late or missing November deposits. For now, state agencies and federal officials are urging families to stay alert for updates as they push out remaining payments.
The situation remains fluid, and further changes to SNAP deposits may continue through the end of November and into December.
