What to know about November 2025 SNAP payments

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments will still go out in November, but the ongoing government shutdown and the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act are bringing a few significant changes to how recipients can access benefits beginning next month. 

What’s changing to SNAP in November

The bill will create stricter work requirements by limiting who can be exempt from the program’s time restrictions. Currently, able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) are only eligible to receive SNAP benefits for three months within a three-year span, unless they meet certain work criteria.

Now, the age exemption has been expanded to include individuals up to 65, an increase from the previous cutoff of 59. Also, the exemption for caring for a dependent now applies only to parents or guardians of children under 14, instead of under 18. The bill also removes exemptions for people experiencing homelessness and veterans.

If people are pregnant or unable to work due to a physical or mental condition, they are still eligible for an exemption.

A report by research center Boston Indicator estimated that the new eligibility restrictions will subject 7% of current SNAP to stricter requirements.

The new law also requires states to cover 5% to 15% of costs for food assistance costs if their SNAP payment error rate exceeds six percent. Although the rule won’t take effect until fiscal year 2028, Vermont is currently the only New England state that meets this requirement.

How will SNAP payments be impacted by the government shutdown?

The roughly 42 million Americans on SNAP benefits are also at risk of losing critical food assistance due to the government shutdown. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told reporters at the White House on Thursday that SNAP will run out of money in two weeks.

SNAP’s emergency contingency fund currently holds about $6 billion, but the program needs to send $8.1 billion to states in order to cover November’s payments. The average SNAP recipient receives about $188 per person per month, according to Forbes.

When will SNAP payments be distributed in November?

SNAP payments are distributed monthly as a lump sum, but the timing varies state-to-state. The New England state distribution dates are as follows. 

• Connecticut: November 1 to 3
• Maine: November 10 to 14
• Massachusetts: November 1 to 14
• New Hampshire: November 5
• Rhode Island: November 1
• Vermont: November 1

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