The month of November 2025 brought significant financial turmoil for over 42 million Americans relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A legal and administrative conflict, heightened by the recent federal government shutdown, resulted in the temporary reduction and, in some cases, the reversal of full benefits already sent to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
However, the uncertainty has now been resolved. Following the end of the government shutdown and the passage of full funding legislation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has directed states to immediately issue the remaining balance to ensure all recipients receive 100% of their full November allotment.
The Cause of the SNAP Payment Chaos
The sudden disruption and confusing reversals were the result of a back-and-forth legal battle over the funding of SNAP during the federal government shutdown.
- Initial Crisis: The government shutdown led the USDA to initially halt full funding for November.
- Court Rulings: Federal judges ordered the administration to use contingency funds to issue full benefits.
- Supreme Court Intervention: The administration appealed, and the Supreme Court temporarily paused the full funding order, allowing the appeal to continue.
- The Reversal Order: Under this pause, the USDA directed states to halt full payments and instead cap benefits at a partial amount (approximately 65%) to avoid federal penalties. States that had already issued full payments were ordered to “undo any steps taken,” leading to reports of unexpected negative EBT card balances.
Payment Status: What to Expect Now
The new funding bill passed by Congress resolved the shutdown and the associated legal dispute, ensuring the SNAP program is fully funded through September 2026. This means the partial payment order is officially reversed.
The goal is to provide all eligible recipients with 100% of their November SNAP allotment.
- Current Action: States that previously issued a partial payment are now calculating and transferring the remaining balance (approximately 35% of the total benefit) to EBT cards.
- Timeline: While processing times vary by state, most recipients who received a partial payment should see the remainder of their November benefits loaded onto their EBT cards by the end of November 2025.
- Future Payments: December SNAP benefits will be issued in full and on the normal schedule for all recipients.
| Payment Scenario | Action Taken by State | Expected Result on EBT Card |
| Received Partial Payment | Calculates and adds remaining balance | Balance updated to reflect 100% of November total. |
| Received No Payment Yet | Issues the full 100% allotment | Full benefit amount loaded in a single transaction. |
Actions for SNAP Recipients
Given the administrative complexity caused by the sudden changes, recipients should take simple steps to confirm their benefit status:
- Verify Your Balance: Do not rely on prior balance estimates. Use your state’s automated EBT balance hotline, the official EBT mobile app, or a verified EBT cardholder website to check your current available balance before making purchases.
- Monitor for Stability: Since the remaining funds are being disbursed in a separate transaction, check your card daily until you confirm the balance has stabilized at the full amount you expected.
- Contact Assistance: If your EBT card still shows a reduced or unexpected balance by the beginning of December, contact your local SNAP office or caseworker immediately for clarification on your account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Why were my benefits reduced or reversed earlier this month?
A. Your benefits were temporarily affected due to a lack of federal appropriation during the government shutdown and a subsequent USDA order to cap payments at a partial rate during a legal dispute.
Q. Will I definitely receive my full November SNAP payment?
A. Yes. Full federal funding for SNAP has been restored. All eligible households are guaranteed to receive 100% of their full November allotment.
Q. Do I need to reapply to get the rest of the money?
A. No. The funding change does not affect your eligibility. No action is required from you; the state is automatically adding the remaining funds to your existing EBT card.
Q. When can I expect the remaining portion of my payment?
A. States are working quickly. Most recipients should see the remaining balance on their EBT cards by the end of November 2025, or on their usual payment date if it falls later in the month.
Conclusion
The resolution of the funding crisis means that the crucial food assistance provided by SNAP is secure, and stability is returning to the system. The chaotic period served as a reminder of how quickly legal and political decisions can affect essential aid.
If you use SNAP, the most important step you can take now is to confirm your EBT card balance to ensure you have received your full and correct November payment.