The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) announced Friday that due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the month of November will not be issued.
This pause in benefits is a direct result of the federal shutdown and is not a state-level decision. The effects will be felt state wide with approximately 385,000 people, or about 13% of Mississippi's population, receiving SNAP (food stamp) benefits.
The shutdown, which began on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2026, has lasted 28 days (as of Oct. 28), making it the second-longest in U.S. history.
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.
Existing clients are reminded to fulfill all requirements to maintain SNAP eligibility.
According to MDHS, at this time they have not received confirmation from federal partners on when benefits will resume. MDHS said that they 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.
