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FLORIDA - Florida residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may not receive their November benefits if the ongoing federal government shutdown extends into next month.
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced that while October benefits were distributed as usual, future payments depend on restored federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
According to DCF, recipients may still receive notices about their eligible benefit amounts, but funds will not be added to their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards until federal operations resume.
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The department confirmed that SNAP applications and renewals will continue to be processed during the shutdown, but reapplying is unnecessary and could delay processing times.
The USDA has stated that its contingency funding cannot legally be used to cover regular SNAP benefits during a lapse in appropriations.
As a result, November benefits for millions of Americans, including more than three million Florida residents, are at risk if Congress does not approve a funding bill.
Programs such as Florida’s Medicaid and Temporary Cash Assistance will not be affected, as they operate under separate funding streams.
DCF officials said they are closely monitoring the situation and plan to resume normal SNAP operations as soon as federal funding becomes available.
The federal government shutdown began on October 1st after lawmakers failed to reach a budget agreement, marking the longest funding gap in several years.