Goodbye to Full SNAP Payments: USDA Orders States to Take Benefits Back

Millions of Americans depending on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are facing a new challenge this November.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ordered all states to halt full benefit payments and reverse previously issued deposits following a Supreme Court ruling that suspended an earlier court order requiring full payments.

This decision means that, beginning in November, SNAP benefits will be limited to 65% of the total amount.

Families who normally received around $1,421 per month will now get only about $923, a major reduction at a time when grocery prices remain high.

Related: Still Waiting on SNAP? Here’s How to Find Free Food Help Near Your Area
 

States Told to “Undo” Payments

According to the USDA directive, states such as Wisconsin and Kansas, which had already released full November payments, must now “undo” the deposits.

This has caused widespread confusion among beneficiaries who had already budgeted those funds for food and essential needs.

The USDA also warned that any state that fails to follow the order may face financial penalties or risk losing federal funding for its SNAP program.
 

Why SNAP Is Being Cut

The benefit reduction follows a Supreme Court decision by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, which temporarily blocked a lower court’s order to continue full payments during the government shutdown.

The move was meant to limit emergency spending as federal funds run low, but it leaves millions of low-income families and seniors struggling to cover grocery costs.
 

Ongoing Challenges With SNAP

SNAP has long been one of the most effective tools in reducing hunger across the country, but recent cuts and court disputes have highlighted its fragility.

Other ongoing issues include:

• Complex verification and recertification processes, causing delays for many applicants.

• Uneven state systems, where some process benefits efficiently while others rely on outdated methods.

• Stigma and uncertainty, as frequent political changes continue to disrupt consistent access to food aid.
   

Where to Find Food Help

If your SNAP benefits have been delayed or reduced, you can find help through local food resources and delivery programs still active during the shutdown:

• 211.org

• Feeding America Food Bank Locator

• Meals on Wheels America

• DoorDash SNAP Relief

Even amid federal cutbacks, community programs continue stepping up to make sure no one goes hungry.

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