Particle.news

USDA Orders States to Restore Full SNAP Benefits After Shutdown

States are moving to load EBT cards within days, with food banks still stretched.

Overview

  • A USDA memo from Deputy Undersecretary Patrick A. Penn confirms full federal funding for November SNAP and directs states to resume normal EBT operations, including transmitting December files.
  • Iowa Health and Human Services says full November benefits are being loaded and will be available to all recipients by Friday, Nov. 14.
  • Utah’s Department of Workforce Services will deposit full November benefits by Saturday, Nov. 15, with those who usually receive benefits on the 5th or 11th getting deposits starting Friday, Nov. 14.
  • The longest government shutdown halted November SNAP issuances after an Oct. 24 directive; lower courts ordered partial funding of roughly 65% before the Supreme Court paused those orders.
  • Local hunger-relief networks report sustained strain, with Des Moines’ DMARC logging a 55% jump in visitors in the first 12 days of November and expecting elevated demand for weeks.