A federal appeals court has upheld an order requiring the Trump administration to distribute the full SNAP benefits for November, even during the federal government shutdown. Many families had already begun receiving payments before a new legal challenge temporarily paused the situation.
On Friday, families in California and several other states saw their complete food assistance benefits added to their accounts. Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed the update, saying that food support was “flowing back to California families” after the ruling.
SNAP Benefits: Payments Move Forward
In a memo issued on Friday, Patrick Penn, Assistant Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services at the USDA, instructed regional SNAP directors to finalize all needed steps to ensure full SNAP disbursements would be delivered “later today.”
California, along with 22 states, had filed a lawsuit arguing that withholding SNAP/CalFresh benefits during a shutdown violated federal law. By Friday, officials in California, Wisconsin, Oregon, Kansas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania confirmed that many residents received their full November payment. Other states said their payments would follow over the weekend or early the next week.
New Supreme Court Intervention Adds Uncertainty
The situation shifted again by Friday night. The Trump administration appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, requesting an emergency pause. At 9:17 p.m., Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued the stay, allowing more time for the appeals court to make a final ruling.
According to a California Department of Social Services update on November 8, “Many people have already received their November SNAP/CalFresh benefits. If you received benefits, you can use them.”
Maximum SNAP Benefit Amounts for 2025–2026
SNAP benefit levels are adjusted every year. These updated amounts took effect on October 1, 2025, and apply through September 30, 2026 for the 48 contiguous states, including California.
Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefits
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 | $298 |
| 2 | $546 |
| 3 | $785 |
| 4 | $994 |
| 5 | $1,183 |
| 6 | $1,421 |
| 7 | $1,571 |
| 8 | $1,789 |
Add $218 for every additional household member.
These amounts represent the maximum possible benefit, though actual payments depend on income and household expenses.
Income Eligibility Limits
Below are the SNAP income limits used to determine eligibility for the same period:
| Household Size | Maximum Gross Income (130% FPL) | Maximum Net Income (100% FPL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,696 | $1,305 |
| 2 | $2,292 | $1,763 |
| 3 | $2,888 | $2,221 |
| 4 | $3,483 | $2,680 |
| 5 | $4,079 | $3,138 |
| 6 | $4,675 | $3,596 |
| 7 | $5,271 | $4,055 |
| 8 | $5,867 | $4,513 |
Additional members: +$596 gross / +$459 net.
Households with elderly or disabled members may qualify using higher limits—up to 165% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
Many households are growing concerned about recent changes to their food assistance schedule, which is why SNAP Payment Delays Explained: Key Updates and When Your Benefits Will Arrive has become an important topic. The update highlights why some states are experiencing processing backlogs, system upgrades, or holiday-related disruptions that may push payments later than usual. The explanation also helps recipients understand when to expect their EBT deposits, what factors influence timing, and how to stay informed so families can plan their groceries and budgeting with more confidence.
Conclusion
The appeals court’s ruling briefly restored full SNAP payments for millions of Americans struggling during the shutdown, but the Supreme Court’s temporary stay has left families unsure of what comes next. While many states moved quickly to issue the complete November benefit, the final outcome still depends on ongoing legal decisions. For now, families who received benefits can use them, and states continue preparing for further updates as the case unfolds.
FAQs
1. Will SNAP recipients keep the payments already received?
Yes. Officials confirmed that benefits already issued can be used, even with the Supreme Court’s temporary stay.
2. Why were November SNAP payments delayed or reduced?
The delay occurred because the Trump administration argued it lacked authority to issue full benefits during the government shutdown, prompting a multistate lawsuit.
3. When will all states receive full SNAP benefits?
Some states issued payments on Friday, while others expect full benefits to arrive over the weekend or early next week, depending on processing timelines.
