SNAP Benefits Slashed to Half for November Amid Shutdown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for November will cover only about 50 percent of usual monthly allotments for the roughly 42 million Americans who depend on the aid to buy groceries. The partial funding stems from two federal court orders directing the use of an emergency contingency fund to sustain the program during the ongoing government shutdown.

The reduction applies nationwide, with maximum payments halved in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., as well as in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where base amounts already account for elevated food costs. Officials cautioned that even after funds are allocated, reloading electronic benefit transfer cards could delay payments by up to two weeks in some areas, and full system adjustments might extend into months. The agency emphasized that the contingency reserve lacks resources for complete coverage, forcing the cutback under federal regulations outlined in 7 CFR 271.7.

Households will see allotments calculated based on the revised maximums, minus 30 percent of their net income to reflect expected personal contributions toward food expenses. For instance, a single-person household with $200 in net monthly income would subtract $60 from the adjusted maximum before receiving benefits. The minimum issuance stands at $12 for one- or two-person households in the contiguous states and D.C., $20 in Hawaii and $15 to $24 in Alaska, depending on location specifics.

Here are the adjusted maximum benefits for November 2025 in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.:

These figures represent the ceiling for eligible households; actual amounts vary by income, assets, dependents and deductions like shelter or medical costs. The program, formerly known as food stamps, requires recipients to cover about 30 percent of food needs from earnings, with SNAP bridging the gap up to the maximum. In fiscal year 2025, average monthly benefits hovered around $180 per person, supporting purchases at authorized retailers via EBT cards.

Delays compound the challenge as states navigate the funding gap independently. SNAP operates as a federal entitlement but relies on state administration for issuance and verification. As of early November, five days into the month, millions remain without reloaded cards. Some states, including New Mexico and Virginia, have drawn from state reserves to issue full or partial payments ahead of federal action. Others, like Mississippi, have postponed November distributions entirely until funding resolves. Across the board, agencies are ramping up food bank partnerships and emergency referrals, though direct aid remains uneven.

The patchwork response highlights the program’s decentralized structure, established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and expanded during economic downturns. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, similar disruptions affected 40 million recipients, prompting lawsuits that restored benefits via contingency funds. This time, court interventions on Nov. 3 compelled the USDA to tap its $4.65 billion reserve, covering half of the projected $8.2 billion November need. A USDA court filing noted the fund’s depletion would bar new applicants from aid, underscoring the temporary fix’s limits.

SNAP’s role extends beyond immediate hunger relief, bolstering local economies by generating $1.50 in sales for every dollar spent, according to a 2023 USDA study. The program serves diverse groups: 38 percent of recipients are working families, 40 percent include children under 18, and 23 percent are older adults or disabled individuals. Eligibility hinges on gross income below 130 percent of the federal poverty line — $32,000 annually for a family of three in 2025 — and net income under 100 percent, or $24,600.

For those affected, the USDA advises checking state human services websites for issuance schedules and exploring alternatives like the Emergency Food Assistance Program or community pantries. States must notify households of the reduction without triggering adverse action appeals, per federal rules, allowing focus on essentials. As negotiations drag into their second week, the shutdown — triggered by disputes over spending bills — threatens broader services, from national parks to veterans’ payments.

The contingency measure buys time but not resolution. Full restoration awaits congressional action to end the impasse, a process that historically averages 21 days but has stretched longer in polarized eras. Meanwhile, advocates urge proactive planning: Beneficiaries should prioritize nutrient-dense staples like produce, dairy and proteins within EBT limits, which exclude hot foods and alcohol. Tools like the USDA’s SNAP calculator at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility offer personalized estimates.

This episode revives debates on program resilience. Enacted in 1964 amid poverty concerns, SNAP has weathered recessions, aiding 9 percent of Americans at peak. Recent inflation adjustments raised allotments 21 percent in 2021 via the Thrifty Food Plan update, yet critics argue administrative hurdles deter uptake. With 1 in 8 households food insecure per 2024 data, the November squeeze tests safeguards designed for continuity.

States continue adaptations: California pledged $100 million in loans for immediate aid, while Texas expanded WIC referrals for infants. Federal guidance mandates processing new applications at reduced rates, ensuring eligibility reviews proceed. For fair hearings, disputes over the cut’s application qualify for review, though the reduction itself stands firm under court mandate.