By Jeff Devine, Editor-in-chief, Dale County Chronicle
Now that the government shutdown is over, President Trump’s administration has instructed states to “take immediate steps” to issue full November SNAP benefits, but many agencies say it may still take days before payments reach families affected by the shutdown. Millions of Americans, including thousands in Alabama, continue to face delays in receiving food assistance.
The announcement comes after Trump requested the Supreme Court to block federal court rulings ordering his administration to issue at least partial benefits during the shutdown. The Supreme Court agreed and blocked the ruling requiring SNAP benefits to be paid out.
Alabama officials said they received the directive early this morning. According to the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service notified the state that “State agencies must take immediate steps to ensure households receive their full November allotments promptly.” Governor Kay Ivey praised the directive, saying, “It is about time Congress did their job to reopen the federal government. In Alabama, SNAP recipients were some of the most impacted during the shutdown period, and I am pleased that DHR will work to quickly provide normal, full benefits.”
The government shutdown, which was the longest in American history, was an effort by Congressional Democrats to get Republicans, who maintain control of all branches of government, to negotiate the renewal of the health insurance subsidies passed during the Biden Administration to help people afford health insurance. Without the subsidies, which will expire at the end of Decemeber, people will expect to pay between double to quadruple the amount they were previously paying fo the healh insurance plans. President Trump, who wants to eliminate the Affordable Care Act and its subsidies that help families afford insurance, refuses to negotiate. Congressional Republicans, even those who are sympathetic to working on a plan, held the party line and refused to negotiate until the government was reopened.
A USDA spokesperson similarly told Axios that “As soon as President Trump signed the bill to reopen the government, money was flowing to States,” noting that USDA is prepared to help states struggling to distribute benefits. Earlier federal guidance indicated that most states would receive funds “within 24 hours” of the shutdown ending, and USDA stated Thursday that “the reduction in maximum allotments for November is no longer in effect.”
Alabama officials moved quickly once the shutdown was offically ended. DHR announced it transmitted the necessary files to its Electronic Benefit Transfer vendor to begin loading full benefits for clients whose regular issuance date has passed, as well as newly approved November applicants. Benefits “should be available today after processing of the files is completed, provided there are no unforeseen problems,” the agency said. Recipients with issuance dates of November 14 or later will receive benefits on their regular day.
DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner said, “DHR is thrilled to be able to provide full benefits to SNAP recipients and help get food on the table for these Alabama families, especially in time to prepare for the upcoming holidays. The DHR SNAP team began processing files shortly after receiving the FNS notification; as a matter of fact, some clients should already see benefits on their cards.” She also thanked the individuals and organizations that provided food during the shutdown.
Across the country, some states reported that it may still take additional time to fully process payments, while others had issued full benefits earlier following court rulings. Ed Bolen of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities warned that “it may take a day or two to actually process the transfer of funds to participants,” adding concern that “only two companies handle all issuances around the country.”
USDA Letter Complicates Distribution
Even as states rush to issue full benefits, a new USDA memorandum—following earlier guidance issued on Oct. 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 4, Nov. 5, and Nov. 7—tells agencies not to transmit full benefit files unless the Food and Nutrition Service provides explicit authorization. The department said the U.S. Supreme Court granted USDA an administrative stay in Rhode Island State Council of Churches, et al. v. Rollins, meaning states must continue issuing 35% reduced November allotments described in the Nov. 5 guidance.
The memorandum states that any state that transmitted full benefits acted “unauthorized” and must immediately reverse those steps and notify its FNS regional office. It also cites 7 CFR 271.7(h), warning that noncompliance could lead to canceled federal reimbursement or liability for overpayments.
Alabama DHR noted that this morning’s notification from FNS lifting the suspension of benefits serves as required notice under 7 CFR 273.12(e)(1). The agency is also encouraging residents to continue applying for SNAP and to contact their local county DHR office with questions.
Bottom Line
States are navigating conflicting federal instructions—public pressure to issue full November benefits and formal USDA directives requiring reduced allotments. Alabama has already begun processing full payments, but like other states, it remains caught between shifting federal orders while SNAP households wait for clarity and consistency.
