By Aliss Higham

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More than 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are facing delayed and reduced payments as the ongoing federal government shutdown stretches into its 37th day—the longest in U.S. history—but payments have begun trickling through to benefit recipients nationwide.

Why SNAP Benefits Are Delayed

The shutdown began after Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on a government funding bill. Democrats are pushing to extend soon-to-expire health care tax credits and restore previous Medicaid cuts, proposals that Republicans have rejected.

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SNAP funding has been severely disrupted because the program's regular appropriations expired in October. Initially, the Trump administration announced that benefits would be frozen, citing legal restrictions on using contingency funds to cover regular payments.

That changed last week when federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ordered the government to continue partially funding SNAP using emergency funds. A court ruling issued on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to pay SNAP benefits in full, although it remains unclear when full benefits will be paid and where the funding will come.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the delays this week, saying SNAP recipients "need to understand it's going to take some time to receive this money."

How SNAP Payments Work

SNAP benefits are loaded onto electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which work like debit cards at approved grocery stores and markets. Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds the program, individual states are responsible for distributing the payments.

Each month, the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service transfers funds electronically to state EBT systems. States cannot access these funds until Congress has approved the necessary funding. Once that happens, they request the amount needed to cover their monthly payments.

Benefit distribution schedules vary by state. Smaller states, such as Alaska, typically issue all payments on one day each month. Larger states, such as California, stagger payments throughout the month based on recipients' case numbers.

Which States Have Already Paid SNAP Benefits?

As of November 7, the following states have confirmed that SNAP benefits have been distributed:

• Alaska
• California
• Illinois
• Louisiana
• Nevada
• Oregon
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

Other states have said they are working on getting benefits out. Illinois' Family and Social Services Administration has said benefits are expected next week, but no official date has been given.

"FSSA understands the urgency of this situation and is working swiftly to complete the recalculations and resume benefit issuance as soon as possible," a notice posted on the agency's website said. "In the meantime, Hoosiers in need of immediate food assistance are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or contact their local food bank."

Massachusetts has similarly confirmed that benefits are expected next week, as has North Carolina.

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