Federal Government Orders Texas To Delay November SNAP Benefits

October 18, 2025 – MISSOURI CITY, Texas — Millions of Texans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could face delays in receiving their November benefits after the federal government instructed states to temporarily hold payments amid the ongoing shutdown in Washington.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees SNAP, told state agencies this week to pause early benefit issuance while Congress negotiates a funding bill. Without new appropriations, the agency cannot authorize the usual disbursements that help feed more than 3.6 million Texans each month.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) officials said they are awaiting further guidance from the USDA but confirmed that November benefits “will not be released on the normal schedule” unless the shutdown ends soon. SNAP funds are typically distributed between the 1st and 15th of each month, depending on household eligibility and case number.

The federal directive echoes what happened during the 2018–2019 government shutdown, when SNAP recipients received early February benefits in mid-January to prevent a lapse in service. That shutdown lasted 35 days, the longest in U.S. history, and strained food banks and grocery retailers as families rushed to stretch limited aid.

Anti-hunger advocates warn that even short-term interruptions could create hardship for working families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. “People plan their entire household budgets around when SNAP arrives,” said one Houston food pantry director. “Any delay can mean empty cupboards and more pressure on local charities.”

The USDA said it is committed to restoring payments retroactively once funding resumes. In the meantime, HHSC is urging Texans to conserve their current benefits where possible and to seek assistance through YourTexasBenefits.com or by calling 2-1-1.

If Congress reaches a budget agreement before mid-October, officials say benefits could still be issued on time. If not, Texans may have to wait until late November for their next round of assistance — the first such disruption in more than six years.