SNAP Benefits Restoration Underway After Government Shutdown

Thu Nov 13 2025 23:00:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Following the resolution of the U.S. government shutdown, states accelerate efforts to restore full SNAP benefits for millions of Americans, though some may face delays in receiving aid.

With the recent end of the longest U.S. government shutdown, officials are working diligently to reinstate full SNAP benefits for millions of lower-income households. While several states have already begun the restoration process, others are still navigating the challenges brought on by previous funding disruptions and may take up to a week for recipients to receive full assistance. Families affected by the delayed benefits express concerns regarding food insecurity and financial stability amid uncertain times.

With the longest U.S. government shutdown over, state officials are making swift progress towards fully reinstating SNAP food benefits for millions affected, although some beneficiaries might experience delays in receiving their much-needed aid.

A patchwork of court rulings and changing policies dictated the pre-shutdown distribution of SNAP benefits. Despite several states managing to issue full benefits, about two-thirds were limited to partial or no aid prior to the shutdown's conclusion late Wednesday, as indicated by an Associated Press tally.

The federal SNAP program aids approximately 42 million individuals, roughly 1 in 8 Americans, from lower-income households, delivering an average monthly benefit of around $190 per person—often insufficient to cover a full month’s grocery expenses.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Agriculture mentioned via email Wednesday that funds would be accessible upon the government reopening, within 24 hours for most states, although it remained unclear whether that timeline pertains to availability to states or to when beneficiaries could actually access their electronic benefit cards.

West Virginia announced it would roll out full November benefits by Friday, with Governor Patrick Morrisey's commitment to ensuring all recipients receive their dues.

In Illinois, the Department of Human Services, which had previously disbursed partial benefits this month, acknowledged that full restoration is underway, expecting all SNAP payments to be completed by November 20th.

Colorado officials confirmed that the transition to full benefits commenced immediately, with some benefits anticipated to be available as soon as Thursday.

Missouri’s Department of Social Services, currently issuing partial payments, awaits USDA guidance to proceed further but insists on acting promptly once directives are received.

Impact of Delayed Benefits on Households

For families like that of Lee Harris from North Little Rock, Arkansas, disruptions in SNAP payments have compounded their financial uncertainty, particularly as his spouse lost her job months earlier. Despite improvising meals with support from their community, the uncertainty of future payments has been a source of stress.

“Not knowing the timeline creates anxiety regarding how to stretch limited resources,” said Harris.

The USDA confirmed that funding for SNAP benefits would not continue during the shutdown, igniting legal battles which eventually led to a judicial order mandating the release of full benefits. This resulted in many states quickly acting to ensure recipients received necessary assistance both now and in upcoming months as legislation stabilizing SNAP funding for the remainder of the federal fiscal year was passed.