TAMPA, Florida – Florida residents relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may experience disruptions in their November benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, according to an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families.
The SNAP program, which provides essential food assistance to low-income families and individuals, is administered locally by the Department but funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
As a federal agency, the USDA’s operations have been hampered by the shutdown, potentially halting the issuance of benefits if the impasse in Washington persists into next month.
“If the federal government shutdown continues into November, SNAP benefits for the month of November will not be issued until federal funding is restored,” the Department stated in an official notice.
Recipients might still receive notifications about their eligible benefit amounts, but no funds will be deposited onto Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards during this period.
Department officials emphasized that they are closely monitoring the situation and pledged to notify affected individuals as soon as benefit issuance can resume. Updates will be posted on the program’s dedicated webpage for real-time information.
In contrast, October 2025 SNAP benefits are proceeding as scheduled for eligible Floridians. Any existing balances on EBT cards remain available for use, and cardholders can check their balances at any time via ebtEDGE.com.
The Department also advised against resubmitting applications or renewals that have already been filed, warning that doing so could delay processing once normal operations resume. “There is no need to reapply – doing so will slow down the processing of your benefits,” the notice read.
This development comes amid broader concerns about the shutdown’s impact on federal programs, with SNAP serving as a critical lifeline for millions nationwide. In Florida alone, the program supports 2.8 million people facing food insecurity.
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