Federal SNAP benefits suspended for November due to government shutdown
The Alabama Department of Human Resources says it has been told that federal SNAP benefits will be suspended as of November 1 due to the government shutdown.
DHR says SNAP recipients will be able to use benefits issued to their electronic benefit transfer EBT card prior to Saturday, November 1, at any SNAP authorized retailer.
It says guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) states that effective November 1, “FNS is suspending all November 2025 benefit allotments until…federal funding is provided, or until FNS directs State agencies otherwise.”
No new benefits will be issued during the suspension; however, there are no other changes to the program or client requirements.
People can still apply for SNAP benefits during this suspension and DHR will continue to process applications and determine eligibility, but benefits will not be issued until the suspension is lifted. Current SNAP recipients must continue to recertify their benefits, report as they normally would, and submit all documentation that would normally be required for them to continue in the program.
DHR says these steps are of the utmost importance so it can submit each recipient’s benefit file as soon as the suspension is lifted; in other words, this will allow recipients to more quickly use their November funds in grocery stores.
“SNAP benefits are 100% federally funded; therefore USDA controls the issuance of these benefits on EBT cards. I was pleased to learn that FNS plans to reimburse November administrative costs which will help states financially,” Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner said. “We know SNAP benefits are vitally important to the more than 750,000 Alabamians who depend on the more than $140 million in support each month. Alabama DHR, along with many others, hopes Congress will come to a quick resolution on the federal government shutdown.”
Clients who need additional food support during this time may reach out to their local Feeding Alabama affiliated food bank, visit feedingalabama.org, or any other food resources available in their local communities. The Alabama Department of Human Resources partners with many of these resources.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP, helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA notice says. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.”
Democratic lawmakers have written to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting to use contingency funds to cover the bulk of next month’s benefits.
But a USDA memo says “contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits.” The document says the money is reserved for such things such as helping people in disaster areas.
The shutdown, which began on October 1, is now the second-longest on record. The administration blames Democrats, who say they will not agree to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate with them on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans say Democrats must first agree to reopen the government before negotiations.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
