Overview
- President Donald Trump signed the government funding bill, reopening agencies and appropriating SNAP through September 2026.
- USDA said most recipients should see funds within 24 hours of reopening, though officials caution some states may take several days to a week to finish loading EBT cards.
- Before the shutdown ended, distributions were inconsistent, with about two-thirds of states issuing only partial benefits or none because of conflicting court orders and federal guidance.
- States outlined restart timelines: Colorado began issuing full benefits as early as Thursday, West Virginia expects full November payments by Friday, Illinois targets completion by Nov. 20, and Texas officials said payments should arrive within days.
- Food banks report record demand, including spikes as high as 1,800%, and local food systems—from pantries to small farmers and farmers markets—remain under strain that will outlast the immediate restoration.