Overview
- SNAP payments for roughly 42 million people lapsed on November 1 after shutdown funding ran out, triggering immediate gaps for households that typically receive early‑month deposits.
- U.S. District Judges John J. McConnell Jr. and Indira Talwani directed the administration to use USDA contingency funds, requiring a plan by Monday at noon and at least a partial payment by Wednesday, with a full payment only if additional lawful funds are tapped.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said benefits could restart as soon as Wednesday and that the administration will not appeal, though he cautioned the required process could push resumption up to two weeks for some recipients.
- USDA’s available reserves are about $5–6 billion versus roughly $8–9.2 billion needed for a full month, and EBT systems require operational lead time, making partial or staggered November issuances likely.
- Food banks and local groups report surging demand and are expanding distributions in cities such as Chicago, Tampa Bay and Cincinnati, as new federal rules tightening SNAP work and non‑citizen eligibility also take effect.