Millions of American families rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help buy food.
However, ongoing political and economic problems have caused delays and changes in SNAP payments for November.
Why Are SNAP Payments Affected?
Due to a long disagreement over federal funding, the government was forced to take special steps to make sure more than 42 million people still got some help this month.
Because of these issues, the normal payment schedule for SNAP has changed, and families have been left wondering when they will get their benefits.
Partial Payments for November
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that SNAP recipients will receive only a partial payment for November.
This is because a court order required the government to use emergency funds to provide some support. As a result, most families will get about half of their usual SNAP benefit amount this month.
What Led to This Situation?
Many government services, including SNAP, were disrupted because of the government shutdown.
Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island stepped in and ordered that emergency funds be used for SNAP, so low-income families would still get some assistance.
What Can’t Be Bought with SNAP?
It’s important to remember that SNAP benefits have certain restrictions. You cannot use SNAP to buy:
- Alcohol or tobacco
- Non-food items (like cleaning supplies or paper products)
- Pet food
- Hygiene and cosmetic products
- Vitamins, medicines, or supplements
- Hot, ready-to-eat meals
When Will the Payments Arrive?
According to the Department of Justice, half of the usual benefit amount will be paid using emergency savings. Some households might not receive the full amount they usually get.
The government aims to make these partial payments by November 5th.
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