Federal Shutdown Threatens November SNAP Benefits for Hundreds of Thousands in Maryland

Maryland residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may not receive their November benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, potentially impacting food security for vulnerable families.

Nearly 700,000 Marylanders – including almost 270,000 children – are enrolled in SNAP. A recent directive from the Trump Administration instructed states to withhold November payments as the shutdown continues, with the USDA signaling it will not provide contingency funding. Governor Wes Moore stated yesterday that he is hesitant to use state funds to cover the shortfall, citing concerns about reimbursement. “During previous shutdowns, the State of Maryland received reimbursement for federal expenses incurred from critical programs,” Moore said. “The Trump Administration has provided zero assurance that our state will receive reimbursement—even if Maryland were to cover SNAP benefits in the absence of federal funding. And as recent history has shown, President Trump’s targeted attacks on Democratic priorities, programs and states only further diminishes our confidence in being made whole.”

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has demanded answers from the USDA, arguing the agency provided no justification for halting benefit distribution. “In other words, without citing any legal authority or providing any reasoning, USDA prohibited states like Maryland from sending already calculated November allotments to EBT vendors for processing,” Brown explained. The USDA has the legal authority to reduce or suspend SNAP benefits, but the lack of explanation has raised concerns about the program’s stability. You can learn more about SNAP eligibility and benefits by state on the USDA website.

Attorney General Brown has requested a response by October 27. The situation highlights the far-reaching consequences of the federal shutdown, extending beyond federal employees to impact essential services for millions of Americans. For more information on the effects of government shutdowns, see the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget’s analysis.

Officials are awaiting a response from the USDA and continue to assess options for mitigating the impact on Maryland SNAP recipients.