Food Stamps and Government Shutdown: Impact on November Benefits
Food Stamps and Government Shutdown: What Recipients Should Know
The prolonged U.S. government shutdown is putting millions of Americans at risk of missing their November food stamp benefits, a vital lifeline for low-income households. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), stated in a memo that no benefits will be issued on November 1, leaving 42 million beneficiaries uncertain about how they'll afford groceries. SNAP recipients typically receive an average of $187 monthly on prepaid cards, which many families rely on for food.
Will Current SNAP Benefits Roll Over to November?
- SNAP benefits will not be disbursed as scheduled in November. However, recipients can use existing funds on their EBT cards.
- If beneficiaries have unspent October EBT dollars, those funds will roll over into November.
- Many states are advising recipients to use their remaining food stamps wisely due to the funding stalemate.
As the situation develops, recipients may wonder about the status of their funds and potential retroactive benefits should a government deal be reached.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.