Will I get my November SNAP benefits in New York, New Jersey during the government shutdown?
Trump admin will partially fund SNAP amid shutdown delays: Is it enough?
The move follows court orders requiring the government to keep SNAP running after payment delays tied to the ongoing shutdown. Still, uncertainty looms as November payments arrive late and families face empty fridges and crowded food pantries. Advocates warn that without full funding, December could bring renewed hardship. FOX 5 NY’s Stephanie Bertini has the latest.
NEW YORK - With the federal government shutdown now entering its second month, millions of families in New York and New Jersey are still waiting for their November SNAP benefits to arrive.
On Monday, the Trump administration announced that it will partially fund SNAP, although it's unclear at this time how much beneficiaries will receive nor how quickly they can expect to see those funds on their SNAP debit cards.
New York: SNAP latest
What we know:
The New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) confirmed that November payments have not yet been released. Food banks and pantries across the city report surging demand as families struggle to cover grocery costs.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a "food emergency" and allocated $65 million in state funds to food pantries in response to the SNAP suspension.
In New York state, nearly three million residents rely on SNAP benefits to buy their groceries – that's roughly 15% of the state's population, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
What you can do:
The state has urged recipients to monitor official updates and to use available community resources, such as food pantries and emergency meal programs.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: An EBT sign is displayed on the window of a grocery store on October 30, 2025 in the Flatbush neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and other
New Jersey: SNAP latest
What we know:
In New Jersey, nearly 828,000 residents rely on SNAP benefits to buy their groceries – that's roughly 9% of the state's population, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
These people have also not received their benefits yet this month.
What you can do:
If you live in New Jersey and rely on SNAP benefits, you can access local food banks for assistance. To find a food bank near you, you can type in your ZIP code here.
The New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Family Development (DFD) also notes on their website that funds loaded onto SNAP EBT cards prior to Oct. 31 are still available to use.
New Jersey also has a cash assistance program called Work First New Jersey (WFNJ). For families, the program is known as Work First New Jersey/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (WFNJ/TANF). For single adults and couples without dependent children, the program is known as Work First New Jersey/General Assistance (WFNJ/GA).
According to the DFD, the WFNJ programs "provide monthly cash, child care, job search and readiness, and short-term housing support for eligible New Jersey residents." These funds can be used to purchase food and other items typically covered by SNAP benefits.
What lies ahead
What's next:
A federal court ruling on Oct. 31 found that the Trump administration’s decision to withhold SNAP funding was unlawful. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN that the administration does not plan to appeal the ruling, but he urged Congress to end the shutdown to ensure full funding for food assistance programs.
Until then, SNAP recipients in New York and New Jersey should continue checking their accounts regularly.
The Source: Information from the New Jersey Department of Human Services, the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), The New York Post and FOX 5 NY reporting contributed to this article.