Federal Shutdown Delays November SNAP Benefits for Maine Residents

Federal officials have announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November will not be issued due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) notified all states that November funding for SNAP, the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, will be paused until the shutdown ends. Nationwide, roughly 42 million people rely on SNAP benefits, including 169,812 Mainers, according to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

According to WGME 13, in Maine, nearly 12.5% of the population receives SNAP benefits. Certain counties—Androscoggin, Aroostook, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington—have participation rates approaching or exceeding 20%.

Maine DHHS reports that nearly 75% of SNAP households include at least one working adult, over half include someone with a disability, 43% include an older adult, and more than one-third include children. The average monthly benefit for a family of four in Maine is $572.

What SNAP Recipients in Maine Need to Know:

• November benefits will not be issued until the federal shutdown ends or new guidance is provided by FNS.

• Any SNAP funds already loaded onto EBT cards remain available for use.

• Applications, renewals, and updates continue to be accepted and processed by Maine DHHS during the shutdown.

• Recipients are encouraged to sign up for e-noticing through My Maine Connection for the fastest updates and notifications.

• Ensure contact information, including phone number and mailing address, is current with Maine DHHS.

• For help accessing other resources, call 211, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit 211Maine.org.

Maine DHHS emphasized that this change affects all federal SNAP recipients nationwide and cannot be appealed. Additional information about federal SNAP benefits will be shared as it becomes available.