Overview
- Two federal judges ordered the administration to use reserves, and USDA says about $4.65 billion will cover roughly 50% of current SNAP allotments for November.
- North Carolina and Massachusetts expect partial deposits next week, while Arizona and Texas report no firm timelines as agencies work through federal guidance.
- States say recalculations and EBT reprogramming could take days or weeks, and advocates warn some households may receive far less than half or even no payment under the new formula.
- Local stopgaps are rolling out, including Contra Costa County’s $21 million debit cards and Marin County’s gift-card program with the San Francisco–Marin Food Bank, but officials say these are temporary.
- Food banks report surging demand, with major increases in Philadelphia and large distributions in Houston, and groups caution the contingency fund will not cover a full month if the shutdown continues.