The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) announced late last week that due to the ongoing federal shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the month of November may be delayed or may not be issued.
This pause in benefits is a direct result of the federal shutdown and is not a state-level decision.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has directed states not to transmit the EBT issuances files to EBT vendors until further notice. As a result, no new SNAP benefits will be issued for November unless federal guidance changes, however, previous benefits will remain accessible.
MDHS encourages SNAP recipients to prioritize using their SNAP benefits to stock up on eligible shelf-stable food items such as canned goods before the end of the month.
MDHS advises clients who have unused SNAP benefits from October or previous months to make eligible purchases with those benefits. Because the length of the shutdown is uncertain, MDHS recommends that clients purchase shelf-stable items such as canned goods.
Existing clients are reminded to fulfill all requirements to maintain SNAP eligibility.
“At this time, MDHS has not received confirmation from federal partners on when benefits will resume,” officials said in a prepared statement. “MDHS will provide updates to beneficiaries and retailers as the situation develops. MDHS SNAP customer service representatives will continue to be available to answer technical questions but will not be able to provide information on the timing of benefit issuance.”
SNAP clients and community groups are encouraged to visit www.mdhs.ms.gov/home/federal-shutdown-updates/ for the latest information on SNAP updates and a comprehensive list of local food resources.
