Are Florida SNAP benefits coming? Judge orders Trump administration to fully fund November

Will 2.9 million Florida SNAP recipients finally see benefit payments soon?

Hard to say. Funding ran out in October during the ongoing government shutdown and the Trump administration initially said it would not use contingency reserve funding to fill in. After a federal judge ordered payments, the administration said it would issue half payments (later bumped to 65%), although President Donald Trump in a Nov. 4 Truth Social post said his administration wouldn’t send out any food assistance payments until the shutdown ends,

On Thursday, Nov. 6, Rhode Island federal Judge John McConnell called the administration’s arguments “implausible” and ordered the administration to make full payments of November SNAP benefits to the states.

The Justice Department filed an appeal the same day.

No reasons were provided in the appeal, but the administration previously told McConnell in a filing that Congress meant for those other funds to be used for child nutrition programs, which it said would face “an unprecedented and significant shortfall” if the money was redirected for SNAP benefits.

The judge wrote in his order that any disruption to child food assistance is “hypothetical” and not projected to occur before May of 2026, “if at all.” Congress could replenish those funds before May, he noted.

By contrast, a failure to pay SNAP food aid presents “the very real and immediate risk of children being deprived of their food assistance today,” McConnell wrote, adding that the administration’s arguments “run so contrary to the evidence and are so implausible as to make them arbitrary and capricious.”

Meanwhile, about 42 million Americans, including nearly 3 million Floridians, are struggling to feed their families after their final October payment.

Funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, may also run out in days, even with a recent emergency cash infusion in October. Both programs, and others funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) such as the Emergency Food Assistance Program, school meals, and senior food boxes are running dry.

Here’s what to know, and how to get help.

What is SNAP, the former food stamp program?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides assistance to low-income seniors, people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other individuals and families with low incomes to help them buy nutritious food.

It grew out of the nearly century-old national food stamp program and was renamed in the 2008 farm bill. SNAP is part of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

When will SNAP payments go out?

First, they have to get past the legal challenges.

Depending on how the money is allotted and distributed, there could also be state delays. USDA official Patrick Penn told the court it could take days, weeks or even months to reprogram state systems and work with contractors to make partial payments. However, McConnell ordered full payments, within a day.

Florida SNAP benefits are usually issued between the 1st and 28th of the month, depending on the recipient’s case number. It is unclear how this will work if funding resumes as we’re a week into the month.

The Florida Department of Children and Families in a message on the website urged SNAP recipients to continue to maintain eligibility by meeting all work-related activities and tasks, including job search training, supervised job search, and basic education, so they can receive benefits as quickly as possible once funding resumes.

Grocery and retail deals for Florida SNAP recipients

Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets: Special offers

• Affordable Family Meal Deal (Nov. 5–30): A hearty meal for $14.99 (regularly $26.45) for Rewards members.

• Free delivery and no service fees for SNAP recipients (Nov. 1–30): Via DoorDash, to help stretch grocery budgets.

Note that grocery stores are prohibited from offering discounts on food for SNAP recipients, per an email sent out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) last week, according to a post on X by Catherine Rampell, co-host of MSNBC’s “The Weekend.”

Instacart: 50% off groceries

Instacart is offering SNAP recipients 50% off one grocery order. Any customer who placed an order in October using a SNAP/EBT card is eligible and will receive a personal discount code through email in the coming days, the company said. The code can be redeemed at any Instacart store that accepts SNAP payments.

DoorDash: Free delivery

DoorDash is waiving delivery fees on one order for SNAP recipients in November from selected stores, the company announced on Oct. 26. You must add a valid SNAP/EBT card to your DoorDash account before you make your purchase and then use the promo code SNAPDD at checkout.  See the complete list of eligible stores:

Gopuff: 50% off groceries

SNAP recipients can get 50% off groceries through Gopuff, a delivery service that currently focuses on metro areas. The deal is available in two waves throughout November, $25 each, for use on SNAP-eligible items. To use it:

1. Add a SNAP EBT card to your Gopuff account.

2. Add SNAP-eligible groceries to cart.

3. From Nov. 1-15: Use code SNAPRELIEF1 at checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and free delivery.

4. From Nov. 16-30: Use code SNAPRELIEF2 at checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and free delivery.

Bobbie: Discounted infant formula

The baby formula company Bobbie is offering a discount on one of its main products for SNAP recipients.

SNAP-eligible customers can purchase one can of Bobbie’s organic infant formula for $14 plus $3.50 in shipping, or three cans for $42 plus $8.50 in shipping. One can of the formula typically retails for $24.99 at Target or $28 plus $7.50 in shipping on Bobbie’s website.

To redeem the offer, customers must upload their SNAP eligibility letter before checking out online here. Purchases cannot be made with EBT, and the offer is available only to new Bobbie customers.

Websites, apps and social media

• Feeding America: A searchable database of food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, meal programs and other resources.

• Foodfinder: A free app to help food-insecure people find local free food resources. Once it pinpoints your location, it automatically gives a list of nearby options, including addresses and directions. Apple | Google

• Nextdoor: A social media app that lets people in the same neighborhood interact. It allows neighbors to discuss what is happening directly around their homes and is often used by people seeking specific services, items, or resources. Apple | Google

• Plentiful: A free app that focuses on providing local resources for people experiencing food insecurity and connecting them to partnering resources, agencies and food banks in their area. Apple | Google or text “FOOD” to PANTRY (726-879) from any phone

There are also numerous “buy nothing” garage sale and buying/selling groups on Facebook where you can find people in your area rallying together to share everything from leftover formula and diapers to freshly made food. along with information about which schools or churches are running food programs.

Where can I get food help in Florida?

There are several food assistance programs in Florida that can help.

Feeding Florida: A statewide network of local food banks that serves all 67 counties. Feeding Florida offers a searchable map to help you locate a food bank near you, such as:

• Second Harvest of the Big Bend: Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla

• Feeding Northeast Florida: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Union

• Feeding Tampa Bay: Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sumter

Farm Share: One of Florida’s largest independent food banks. Officials said they are setting up distribution sites across the state. Federal employees can visit any Farm Share facility to receive free, fresh, and nutritious food (with valid federal or military ID). SNAP and WIC recipients can use the Food Finder to locate local distribution events. You can find local food pantries here or install the app (Apple | Google)

Local food banks: There are also community food banks that may be able to help, such as United Food Bank and Services in East Hillsborough County and the Palm Beach County Food Bank. Check your local listings.

However, be aware that food banks are also suffering a dramatically increased demand.

LifeNet4Families Community Cafe: The cafe in Lauderhill provides free meals daily.

Local churches: Many churches hold food drives to help their community, check near you. The Catholic Churches of Central Florida also offers mobile food drops, you can request assistance here.

211 United Way: Heart of Florida United Way offers a free 211 Information & Referral Line, available 24/7/365, where someone can help you find resources in your area. You can also search their site for local food and meal resources.

SNAP families with pets: Where to find free, reduced pet food in Florida as government shutdown continues

How much money do SNAP recipients get?

In fiscal year 2025, the average monthly benefit per person in the SNAP program was $190.59, per USDA (about $6 a day). For households, the average monthly benefit was $356.41 in total.

However, the exact amount of money that each SNAP recipient gets per month depends on their income and household size, so it varies per person.

How many people are on SNAP benefits?

More than 42 million people across more than 22 million households relied on SNAP benefits every month during fiscal year 2025, according to the USDA. Children accounted for about 39% of the people who received the benefits, according to the USDA’s report on fiscal year 2023, its latest annual data.

About 2.98 million Floridians received SNAP during fiscal year 2024, about 12.7% of the state’s population. The national average is 12.3%.

In 2023, 55% of SNAP households with children included someone employed (28% of the total) and 61% also received some other form of assistance such as Social Security.

Can I still use the balance on my EBT card during the shutdown?

Yes, you still can use your existing SNAP benefits, which roll over every month if not used. You can check your EBT card’s balance at ebtEDGE.com or by calling 888-356-3281.

Contributing: Gray Rohrer, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida SNAP benefits in limbo as judge orders full November payments