A federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to fully distribute SNAP benefits to all states by Friday, November 7. After two weeks of confusion (and, honestly, panic) for families who rely on these benefits to feed their families, many are still wondering when their SNAP benefits will hit their accounts. Here’s what you need to know about the delays, how people are affected and when benefits can be paid.
What’s behind the SNAP delays?
The U.S. government shutdown has delayed several programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides food purchasing assistance to low-income individuals and families. Currently, 41.7 million Americans rely on the program to support themselves and their families.
Many families have been struggling to feed their children as the program faces cuts and delays due to the closures. Food banks were quickly starting to run out of supplies, and until yesterday, there was no end in sight. However, as mentioned above, a federal judge ordered the government to pay benefits in full, but that’s not as simple as it sounds.
When will I see my benefits in my account?
Only partial payment is made. In some states, including North Carolina, these benefits have already begun. But that’s only about half of their typical salary.
Rolling out these benefits in November is a complex issue. “These recipients of SNAP benefits need to understand that this is going to take some time,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
The bottom line is, if the government shuts down, the money really isn’t there. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says it has about $4.65 billion in emergency funds for SNAP benefits. Unfortunately, that’s only about half of the $9.2 billion that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said SNAP would cost in November.
Beneficiaries can expect to see 50% to 65% of their benefits credited to their accounts, depending on how family benefits are calculated.
Notably, this type of rollout has never been carried out in the program’s history. As a result, it can take days, weeks, or even months for people to see payments arrive in their accounts. Most importantly, SNAP funds are administered by individual states. There’s no real way to determine when each household will receive a partial payment.
States where benefits have been verified will be paid
- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced on November 4 that it was updating its payment system to distribute SNAP benefits. Officials said recipients can expect to start receiving payments next week, although some people reported receiving benefits as early as Friday, Nov. 7.
- Massachusetts also issued a statement on November 5, stating that benefits may be distributed as early as next week.
- California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Minnesota, Rhode Island, New Mexico, New York, Vermont and Virginia have all continued to pay benefits in some way during the government shutdown.
Pennsylvania and Ohio both acknowledge that SNAP benefits will be paid, but they have not provided a timeline for recipients. Officials said people will be notified when benefits are restored.
How families are coping with SNAP delays
These unprecedented delays have families scrambling to find ways to meet their needs. The temporary lapse in SNAP has had dire consequences for individuals. Some people skip meals and even choose not to pay their bills so they can have food. We spoke to several mothers who are trying to figure out what to do while they wait for benefits to be reinstated.
“I tried to keep as much of my food stamps as possible through October, but we just couldn’t make it to the new month,” said a North Carolina mother. On top of that, one of her children is autistic and suffers from phobias. So they have very specific food needs that food stamps can help them meet. Many “one pot” meals and cheaper options simply weren’t suitable for her kids. Now, they’re doing what they can.
The mother, who asked not to be named, is also worried about how to meet her family’s food needs. “The shutdown hit us hard,” she said. “We plan every meal down to portion size, but now I’m stretching what little food we have and constantly worrying about how to keep food on the table for three young kids.”
She’s not the only one facing a similar situation. Other mothers talked about going to food banks but having little left. If you are a slightly picky eater, you may not be able to find something your child will eat.
Misconceptions about SNAP benefits
People who receive SNAP benefits real Need them. One mother said she felt it was one of the least abused programs. People are just trying to support their families, and in some cases, it’s very difficult to get help through the program.
“We’re not people asking for handouts; we’re just trying to survive. That’s hard to do in this economy,” said one Texas mother. “Five years ago, I could support my entire family with my own income alone. Now, the same income can barely meet the necessities of life.”
Nicole Bilotta of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was a full-time waitress raising two children on her own. Currently, she lives on less than $1,200 a month (plus tips she may pay, which is only $25-$30 a day most days). With all of this in mind, she’s been denied SNAP benefits, and recent cuts have hurt her livelihood. Fewer people are dining out, which means fewer tips and fewer hours for many servers.
“It takes a village”
“I feel like everyone should come together and help each other provide resources because the government is playing games and, personally, I think it’s another form of population control,” Bilotta said. “It takes a village and that’s been fully demonstrated over the past few weeks.”
However, not everyone has a large community they can rely on. “It’s horrible,” said Taylor Hull, a mother in the Monroe, North Carolina, area. “How do I continue to make sure my kids eat? The food goes bad, the food doesn’t last, but making sure the kids are fed is the hardest part of this. I have family that helps…some people. But I’m pretty much on my own and I don’t know how to continue without them.”
Parents also worry about their children seeing the struggle. Kalli Cuppy, another North Carolina mother, said, “The paycheck has always been a real fear, but I also remember growing up poor and not being as poor as we imagined, and I hope I can still do that for my kids during this stressful time.”
If you get stuck, there are additional resources
“The evidence shows that people will go hungry, food pantries will be overwhelmed, and unnecessary suffering will occur,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. “Last weekend, SNAP benefits lapsed for the first time in our nation’s history. This is a problem that could and should have been avoided.”
Just a week into the cuts/delays, many states are already seeing food banks and pantries struggling to meet high demand from families in need. That said, the people we spoke to have some tips and tricks they’re using to get by during this difficult time. Here are some of the key factors that help them achieve this goal…
- Pre-portion all food. “I’ve started portioning everything out exactly so the cereal and chips don’t go to waste,” one mom said.
- Head to “non-grocery stores” like Big Lot and Dollar Tree. “The Big Lot is my secret, believe it or not, is go to the Big Lot, they do have a dry goods section and stuff like that, and you’d be surprised how much good stuff there is,” said Amanda Potter, a resident of Union County, North Carolina.
- Find local resources. A Texas mother shared a list of resources available in their area (pictured above). A local butcher also provided 5 pounds of ground beef to those affected, she added.
- Switch to canned or frozen foods. “It’s not ideal for young children who like fresh fruit, but we’re doing the best we can.”
- Choose discount food. “They’re approaching their sell-by date and they’re heavily discounted, but obviously if you’re hungry you’re going to cook as quickly as possible.”
In addition to this list, there are several companies that step in to help those in need. Take advantage of these offers and discounts if possible. Every little bit helps.
As some benefits are rolled out, the impact on households is expected to lessen. However, for many people, getting the program up and running is vital to them getting on with their lives.
Are you affected by SNAP cuts/delays? Share your experience in the comments. You never know when your story might help someone else feel less alone in what they’re going through.
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Amanda Blankenship is the editor-in-chief of District Media. She holds a BA in Journalism from Wingate University, is a frequent contributor to a number of websites, and enjoys sharing her personal financial stories with others. When she’s not typing away at her desk, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, son, husband, and dog. In her free time, you might find her immersed in a book, hiking, or playing role-playing video games.
