We’re sending $1 million to SNAP families missing benefits for Thanksgiving

Propel is a tech company strengthening the social safety net for people who receive government benefits. Over 5 million Americans trust the free Propel app to check their EBT balance, save money, and get updates about their benefits. Propel has partnered with organizations like GoFundMe and GiveDirectly, and seeded this fund with $1 million to help families put food on the table for Thanksgiving. The company is backed by investors like Andreessen Horowitz, JPMorganChase, Kevin Durant, and Serena Williams.

GiveDirectly is a nonprofit that sends money directly to people who need it most, no strings attached. In the last decade, they've delivered cash to over 2 million people across 15 countries and research the impacts it can have for families in need. Propel and GiveDirectly are partnering to identify impacted families and send cash directly to those in need.

Propel seeded the fund with $1 million and identifies eligible recipients through the Propel app, ensuring funds reach families quickly and securely through GiveCard. Propel also amplifies fundraising campaigns by sharing opportunities with our user community and connecting GiveDirectly with aligned partners. GiveDirectly leads fundraising efforts, tapping into its network of philanthropic donors, institutional partners, and public supporters to raise additional funds for the program.

Propel and GiveDirectly have worked together for years with transparent processes, secure technology, and a track record of delivering millions in aid to people who need it most. Our partnership has been featured in:

• NPR: How one tech start up is giving cash to SNAP recipients (opens in a new tab)
• Forbes: Fintech Company Propel Announces $10 Million Fund For Food Stamp Recipients Affected By Government Shutdown (opens in a new tab)
• AP News: Helene and Milton $1,000 cash relief payments (opens in a new tab)
• GiveDirectly’s fundraising page for Hurricanes Helene and Milton (opens in a new tab)
• Propel + Give Directly Pandemic Response Project 100 (opens in a new tab)
• Marketplace: Startup helps feed bank accounts of food stamp recipients (opens in a new tab)
• FastCompany: GiveDirectly will start giving away $1,000 to people most affected by the coronavirus shutdown (opens in a new tab)

Through the initiative, select Propel users who missed their October SNAP deposit will receive $100 in direct support. If you signed up for Propel by Oct 31, 2026, received a September deposit, missed your October deposit, and synced the app on Nov 1 or Nov 2, you might be eligible. It’s our way of helping families navigate the new H.R. 1 requirements and collect the benefits they deserve. When someone is eligible, they’ll see a message directly in the app and can receive their funds through GiveCard. This is not a sweepstakes or contest—there is no entry or drawing.

Eligible users receive a one-time payment of $100. Because funds are limited, we aren’t able to pay everyone, but we hope to continue offering relief like this when possible.

The goal is to help with groceries while families get their benefits back. But just like other GiveDirectly disbursements, recipients can use the funds however works best for them and their household.

This program is available in most U.S. states, though not all users will receive funds. Louisiana and Iowa are excluded because of data limitations. Recent EBT portal transitions have limited our deposit visibility in some other states. In Florida and Maine, we can’t check September deposits, so we target anyone who missed their October deposit, whether or not they received September’s. In Tennessee and West Virginia, we have limited deposit visibility for most users, so many will be ineligible.

Active Propel users who signed up by Oct 31, 2026, received their September deposit, missed their October deposit, and actively used the app on Nov 1 or Nov 2. Enrollment opens Nov 3. Eligible users need to open the app to see a banner telling them they qualify, and payments go out first-come, first-served until the funds run out. The number of people we can pay is the total amount raised divided by the $100 payment each person gets. For example, $1M raised covers 10,000 users.

Louisiana and Iowa are excluded because of targeting limitations. Recent EBT portal transitions have limited our deposit visibility in some other states. In Florida and Maine, we can’t check September deposits, so we target anyone who missed their October deposit, whether or not they received September’s. In Tennessee and West Virginia, we have limited deposit visibility for most users, so many will be ineligible.

We wish we could give gifts to everyone, but funds are limited, so only some eligible users will receive one. Not receiving a gift doesn’t mean anything is wrong with your account—we simply aren’t able to include everyone. This isn’t a sweepstakes, contest, or drawing. There’s no entry involved. It’s simply our way of providing support in a challenging time. We hope to continue offering gifts like this in the future as funding allows.

New users may become eligible once they’ve had some recent activity in the app and meet the eligibility requirements above. Eligibility is updated regularly, so feel free to check back in the app to see if funds become available to you.

The in-app message is the only way to claim the $100. If you no longer see the message, it means the deadline to accept the relief has passed. If more funding becomes available for future rounds, there will be a new message in the app.

There’s no application and no way to sign up. We notify eligible users directly in the Propel app. We won’t contact you by text, phone, or social media—be cautious of scams pretending to offer these funds outside the app.

If you’re eligible, you’ll see a message in the app explaining how to claim the funds. Delivery timing depends on the method you choose:

• Virtual GiveCard: typically available within 1–2 business days. GiveCard will email you a virtual debit card. You can use it online or in store with Apple Pay or Google Wallet. It can’t be used at ATMs or for direct bank deposits.
• Physical GiveCard: typically arrives in 2–3 weeks. GiveCard will mail you a card. Before using it, you'll need to create a GiveCard account to activate it. You’ll receive an email from GiveCard once your card is loaded. The card can't be added to Apple Wallet/Google Wallet or used for direct bank deposits.

No. Receiving these funds will not affect your SNAP benefits.

No. This is a gift—there’s nothing to repay.

Because funds are limited, we’re only able to reach a small subset of users who have recently engaged with the app. If you are selected, you will see a message in the Propel app. If you haven’t received a message, it simply means you aren’t eligible this round—but we hope to offer more relief as funding allows.

Families will receive a one-time payment of $100. This program isn't a replacement for SNAP. It's a one-time boost to help families buy groceries before Thanksgiving, and serves as a bridge back to their benefits.

Propel will begin enrolling families on November 3. Payments will be delivered the week of November 9.

If we can't deliver all the funds raised to families losing SNAP, donations will go to other low-income Americans in need. Recurring donations made after the campaign closes will go to other U.S. emergency cash programs.

Yes. Include "SNAP bridge" in the purpose or designation field so your donation goes to this campaign.

We'd love to hear from you. Email us at info@givedirectly.org.

Yes, donations are tax-deductible in the United States. We accept all major credit and debit cards, PayPal, checks, wires, stocks, cryptocurrencies, and more. If you’re giving outside the U.S., you can still give to this campaign but your donation may not be tax-deductible.

Reach out to info@givedirectly.org with any questions or for more information on ways to give.