Millions of families who depend on food stamps will see major cuts this month. The Trump administration confirmed that SNAP recipients will receive only 65% of their normal November benefits instead of full payments. This change affects over 40 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to buy groceries.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) first told states that families would get just 50% of their food stamp benefits for November. But officials later fixed a math error in their funding calculation and raised the amount to 65%, according to official USDA guidance.
Here’s what the benefit cut means for families:
- A family of four in most states will receive about $646 for November instead of their full monthly amount
- Some recipients may get even less than 65% depending on their benefit level
- Households receiving minimum SNAP amounts might get no payment at all for November
- Benefits will return to normal amounts once the government shutdown ends
The partial payments come from the USDA using its emergency reserve funds, which total about $4.6 billion. But even draining all contingency funds isn’t enough to pay full benefits to every household during the record-long government shutdown, officials explained.
Food stamp benefits are being cut because Congress has not approved new funding while the federal government remains closed. A federal court ordered the Trump administration to use all available SNAP money for November payments after advocacy groups filed lawsuits to protect families from hunger.
Payment delays are expected across the country. Agriculture Secretary officials warned that processing these partial benefits will take “several weeks” as states work through the complicated calculations. Each state issues SNAP benefits on different dates throughout the month, so timing will vary by location.
The situation creates serious hardship for low-income families already struggling with high food prices. Food banks and hunger relief organizations are preparing for increased demand as households try to stretch reduced benefits. Many recipients rely on their full monthly SNAP amount to feed their children and cannot easily make up the difference.
Eligibility for SNAP benefits hasn’t changed—only the payment amounts for November. Families approved for food stamps will still receive assistance, just at the reduced 65% level. The USDA stressed that full SNAP benefits will resume as soon as Congress passes funding legislation and the government reopens.
State agencies are updating their systems to issue the partial payments correctly. Recipients should check their EBT cards and state SNAP websites for specific information about when reduced November benefits will arrive. Some states may split payments or adjust dates to accommodate the new calculations.
Important things to remember:
- Your SNAP eligibility status has not changed
- November benefits are automatically reduced to 65%—you don’t need to reapply
- December benefits depend on whether the shutdown ends
- Contact your state SNAP office if you have questions about your payment
The benefit reduction hits families at a difficult time, with many households already facing tight budgets. Nutrition experts warn that cutting food assistance by a third could force families to skip meals or choose less healthy food options to save money.
According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, SNAP serves as the nation’s most important hunger safety net. The program typically provides an average of $6.50 per person per day for food, making any reduction significant for household budgets.
Recipients are encouraged to visit local food pantries and community meal programs to supplement reduced benefits. Many states offer additional nutrition programs like WIC and school meal programs that can help families during this funding gap.
