The government shutdown that began October 1, 2025 is ongoing. On Thursday, Nov. 6, a federal court ordered the government to restore full November SNAP benefits.
Late Friday night, Nov. 7, the United States Supreme Court paused that ruling. Most states will wait for more clarity before issuing deposits. If you received your full or partial November deposit, it should not be affected.
A government shutdown can raise many questions, especially if you rely on government benefits like SNAP, TANF, or WIC.
It's important to know that SNAP is typically funded in advance, so government shutdowns don't mean SNAP benefits stop immediately. Due to the length of the current government shutdown, the legal challenges, and the time involved in processing payments, November SNAP benefits are likely to be delayed for most households. The timing of when payments will be issued is still unclear.
Here’s what you need to know to stay informed and prepared.
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What is a government shutdown, and what does it mean?#what-is-a-government-shutdown-and-what-does-it-mean
A government shutdown happens when Congress doesn’t pass new funding legislation by a certain deadline.
This results in a temporary pause in many government operations. Some programs stop completely, while other essential services—like issuing Social Security payments—continue with fewer workers.
Will November SNAP payments be affected by the shutdown?#will-november-snap-payments-be-affected-by-the-shutdown
Yes—during a government shutdown, there's no regular funding available to pay for SNAP benefits.
On Thursday, Nov. 6, a federal court ordered the government to restore full November SNAP benefits. However, the Supreme Court paused that ruling later the following day. Most states will wait for more clarity before issuing November deposits.
- If you already received your full November deposit before the Supreme Court ruling, it should not be affected.
- If you received a partial November deposit, you'll likely get the rest in a future deposit.
- If you haven't received a November deposit yet, your state is likely waiting for more clarity before issuing payments.
Some states had already announced their own emergency payment programs to provide benefits to some or all SNAP recipients. It's not clear how these programs will be impacted by the Supreme Court decision.
Will there be back pay for missed November SNAP payments?#will-there-be-back-pay-for-missed-november-snap-payments
You should receive the full amount of your November SNAP payments after the legal situation is resolved.
Given the uncertainty caused by the ongoing shutdown and legal situation, it is not clear when deposits will arrive.
If you received a partial SNAP payment from your state, you should eventually get the full amount of your November payment, though it may not arrive until a future month’s payment arrives.
Can I use my EBT card during a government shutdown?#can-i-use-my-ebt-card-during-a-government-shutdown
Yes, you can keep using your EBT card to buy food during the government shutdown. If you have any remaining balance from previous deposits, you can spend it in November.
But if your EBT card is lost or stolen during a shutdown, it may take longer to get a replacement card.
Will my state still provide emergency food assistance?#will-my-state-still-provide-emergency-food-assistance
A few states have announced they will distribute emergency funds to help during the November SNAP delay. This varies by state:
- Full replacement: Some states are providing the full amount of your usual SNAP deposit, though it may be broken into smaller payments
- Partial funds: Other states are offering partial replacement payments
- Food programs: Some states are offering food distributions and assistance programs instead of money to spend
Check if your state has announced emergency assistance for families on SNAP:
- Arizona
- Delaware
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Louisiana
- New Mexico
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Vermont
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Washington, D.C.
How will the government shutdown affect other benefits programs?#how-will-the-government-shutdown-affect-other-benefits-programs
Millions of Americans rely on benefits programs like TANF, WIC, and Medicaid in addition to SNAP. Here's how those might be affected by an ongoing shutdown:
| Benefits program | Will November benefits be affected? |
|---|---|
| TANF | At risk if the shutdown continues |
| WIC | November benefits should arrive |
| Medicaid | No impact expected |
| Medicare | No impact expected (and open enrollment will still happen) |
| Social Security (including SSI) | No impact expected |
How does a government shutdown affect WIC?#how-does-a-government-shutdown-affect-wic
A prolonged shutdown can result in disruptions to benefits (WIC is funded differently from SNAP), but the Trump administration announced on Nov. 3 that full November WIC benefits would go out to states. WIC recipients should expect their November benefits.
Visit your state’s WIC website for updates—your state should let you know if there will be any interruptions or changes to your WIC benefits.
How does a government shutdown affect TANF and Social Security?#how-does-a-government-shutdown-affect-tanf-and-social-security
November TANF payments (also called cash EBT) may be impacted by the ongoing shutdown. Visit your state’s TANF website for updates.
But Social Security payments, including SSI, are not expected to be impacted by a shutdown—you should continue to receive your Social Security benefits like usual. However, Social Security offices will operate with reduced services and staff, which could mean longer wait times if you need in-person help.
How does a government shutdown affect Medicare and Medicaid?#how-does-a-government-shutdown-affect-medicare-and-medicaid
Medicare and Medicaid will remain fully funded through a government shutdown, and the Medicare open enrollment period (Oct. 15 - Dec. 7) will be unaffected.
But about half of CMS staff may be furloughed in a shutdown, which could mean longer wait times to speak with a CMS representative.
While essential benefits like SNAP are funded in advance, some government services may operate more slowly during a shutdown, since fewer people are working. For example, replacing a lost EBT card or verifying benefits might take longer.
