SNAP Payments to Restart After Government Reopening — Here’s When to Expect Your Benefits

President Donald Trump officially signed the Senate and House-approved GOP funding bill on Wednesday, bringing an end to the nation’s longest federal government shutdown.

This decision immediately reopens the door for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which had been largely halted for 43 days, leaving millions without food assistance throughout November.

While some states managed to distribute partial or full allotments during ongoing court battles, many households received no aid at all. With the shutdown resolved, SNAP benefits are finally expected to restart, offering much-needed relief to families nationwide.

When Will SNAP Payments Restart?

The restoration of benefits will begin within the next few days, but the exact timeline differs by state due to varying administrative processes.

States Issuing Payments Immediately

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), states that provided no benefits at all during the shutdown—such as South Carolina and West Virginia—should distribute payments within 24 hours to 3 days following funding approval.

States That Sent Partial November Benefits

States that issued partial payments may take longer as they work to correct, calculate, and complete missing funds.

States That Offered Full Benefits Despite the Shutdown

At least 19 states and Washington, D.C. successfully delivered full SNAP payments to some households last week, easing the pressure for a portion of recipients.

How Many Americans Depend on SNAP?

SNAP remains one of the most significant food-assistance resources in the U.S.

Roughly 42 million Americans—about 1 in 8 residents—receive monthly benefits.
In FY 2024, SNAP supported an average of 41.7 million people, representing 12.3% of the population.
Program participation varies:
- New Mexico has the highest share at 21.2%
- Utah has the lowest at 4.8%
36 states fall between 8% and 16% enrollment, highlighting the program’s essential role in combating food insecurity.

Will Recipients Receive Full November Benefits?

Yes. With the shutdown now resolved, full November SNAP benefits are expected to reach eligible households.

States with zero payments during the shutdown will begin issuing benefits within 24 hours to 3 days.
States with partial distributions may extend their timelines to finalize accurate payments.

Top 10 States Most Dependent on SNAP

New data shows significant differences in reliance across states.

Rank	State	% of Population on SNAP
1	New Mexico	21.5%
2	Oregon	18.1%
3	Louisiana	17.5%
4	Oklahoma	16.9%
5	West Virginia	15.5%
6	Nevada	15.2%
7	Massachusetts	15.1%
8	Pennsylvania	15.0%
9	New York	14.9%
10	Illinois	14.8%

New Mexico’s participation is nearly double the national average, with recipients receiving $176.51 per person monthly, totaling over $80 million in food aid each month. Meanwhile, Utah and Wyoming report participation rates at only around 5%.

Costco’s SNAP Policy: What Shoppers Should Know

Costco Wholesale accepts EBT cards at all warehouse locations, but item eligibility can differ by state.

SNAP-approved items vary based on state-specific guidelines.
Customers should verify eligible products through their state SNAP office.
Government resources offer updated lists of state SNAP contacts and approved categories.

What SNAP Costs the Federal Government

In FY 2024, SNAP spending totaled $100.3 billion, representing roughly 1.5% of all federal expenditures.

Breakdown of costs:

$93.8 billion (93.5%) went directly to household benefits.
The rest funded administration, nutrition education, and employment programs.
Spending fell 24.1% from its 2021 pandemic-era peak of $132.2 billion.
The average monthly benefit in 2024 was $188, down from $253 in FY 2021.

FY 2025 maximum benefit levels (lower 48 states + D.C.):

$292 for a 1-person household
$1,800 for 8 people
Higher limits apply in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A Brief History of SNAP

The SNAP program has evolved over decades:

1939: First food stamp program launches in Rochester, NY, using orange and blue stamps.
1943: Program ends as the Great Depression subsides.
1961: Revived as a pilot under President Kennedy.
1964: Food Stamp Act establishes it as a permanent federal program.
1974: Expanded nationwide.
2008: Renamed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Do SNAP Benefits Roll Over?

Yes. Unused SNAP benefits remain on your EBT card and automatically roll over month to month.

However:

Benefits may be removed after 274 days (about 9 months) of no card activity.
Even a small purchase resets the inactivity clock.
Some states move inactive benefits offline after 3 months, requiring recipients to contact their SNAP office.

To Protect Your Benefits

Make at least one purchase every few months.
Check your balance via ebtEDGE app, official portals, or ATM.
Keep an eye out for notices from your local SNAP office.

Who Can Receive SNAP Benefits?

SNAP eligibility depends on income, household size, residency, and assets.

Income Requirements

Gross income ≤ 130% of the Federal Poverty Level
Net income ≤ 100% of FPL after deductions
Elderly/disabled households only need to meet net income rules

Asset Limits

$2,750 for most households
$4,250 if a member is 60+ or disabled
Excluded resources include:
- Home
- Retirement accounts
- Most vehicles

Citizenship Requirements

U.S. citizens and qualified non-citizens (LPRs, refugees, asylees) may apply.
Applicants must live in the state of application.

What Are SNAP’s Latest Work Requirements?

SNAP work rules target Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs):

Must work 20+ hours per week, attend training, or actively seek work.
ABAWDs are limited to 3 months of benefits every 3 years unless meeting requirements.

Recent Changes Include

Exemption age raised from 59 to 65
Child-care exemption lowered to parents of children under 14
Exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults exiting foster care have been removed

People unable to work due to physical/mental conditions or pregnancy remain exempt.

How to Check Your SNAP Card Balance

Your SNAP balance depends on:

Household income
Deductions
Family size
State payment status during the shutdown

You can check your balance via:

ebtEDGE website or app
Customer service number on your EBT card
Participating ATMs

The Court Battles Behind the SNAP Shutdown

The shutdown, beginning October 1, 2025, sparked major legal clashes between states and the Trump administration.

USDA’s Position

Congress had not approved full appropriations.
USDA argued it lacked authority to pay full benefits.
SNAP requires $8.5–$9 billion per month to operate.
Only $5.25 billion was available in contingency funds.
Administration proposed partial payments or suspending benefits entirely.

States Challenge the Decision

States and nonprofits sued, arguing:

USDA could use emergency funds.
Suspending benefits would harm millions.

Key Court Rulings

Judge McConnell (RI) ordered USDA to release contingency funds.
Judge Talwani (MA) ruled the administration’s reasoning “erroneous.”
USDA reluctantly issued partial benefits.
President Trump announced plans to halt SNAP entirely during the shutdown.

McConnell later ordered full funding by November 7, but the Supreme Court issued an emergency stay, allowing partial payments to continue. This left states and recipients confused and scrambling for aid.

When Are Payments Returning?

Now that the shutdown is resolved:

Most states will issue payments within 24 hours, per USDA.
EBT card transfers depend on state-level processing.
Families may see funds at different times, but disbursement is officially underway.

Can Immigrants Receive SNAP?

Some immigrants qualify, while others do not.

Eligible:

Naturalized U.S. citizens
Green card holders
Certain humanitarian immigrants

Not Eligible:

Work-visa holders
TPS recipients
Refugees/asylees under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act

What Is SNAP?

SNAP is the nation’s largest food-assistance program, supporting 1 in 8 Americans and costing about $8 billion monthly.

Recipients receive funds via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to buy groceries and essential foods. The November suspension left millions relying on food banks, state programs, and community support until federal funding resumed.

The end of the historic government shutdown marks a critical turning point for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the millions of Americans who rely on it to meet basic food needs.

With federal funding restored, states are beginning to distribute overdue benefits, though processing times vary based on each state’s prior actions during the shutdown.

As full benefits return and payment systems stabilize, households can finally expect the support they have been missing for weeks.

Staying informed about state timelines, eligibility rules, EBT card policies, and program changes will help recipients protect their benefits and navigate the system confidently.