A federal appeals court has affirmed an order requiring the Trump administration to release full SNAP benefits for the month of November. Although millions of dollars in food assistance payments were already issued, the situation became more complicated late Friday when the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily paused the order, creating uncertainty for SNAP recipients across the nation.
Despite the legal back-and-forth, many residents in California and other states began receiving their full SNAP food assistance payments, giving families immediate relief during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Full SNAP Benefits Begin Flowing to Families
States Start Issuing Full SNAP Payments
As soon as the appeals court declined to halt the earlier ruling, multiple states moved quickly to restore full SNAP benefits:
- California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that food assistance was “flowing back to California families.”
- Wisconsin, Oregon, Kansas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania also verified that eligible residents received full November SNAP payments.
- Officials noted that other states expect to finish issuing benefits over the weekend or early in the following week.
USDA Orders Immediate Processing
In a memo sent Friday, Patrick Penn, assistant secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, told SNAP regional directors that the administration would complete all required steps so full SNAP payments could be delivered “later today.”
California, together with 22 states, filed the lawsuit arguing that withholding SNAP benefits—called CalFresh in California—during the shutdown was illegal and harmful to low-income households.
The Associated Press confirmed that many residents, including some in the Bay Area, began receiving their full November SNAP benefits on Friday.
Supreme Court Issues a Late-Night Stay
Legal Uncertainty Continues
Another twist emerged late Friday night. The Trump administration appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and at 9:17 p.m., Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson granted a temporary stay, giving the appeals court more time to issue a final decision.
This stay does not cancel benefits already issued.
The California Department of Social Services reassured residents:
“If you received benefits, you can use them.”
Updated Maximum SNAP Benefit Amounts for 2025–2026
Monthly SNAP Payment Levels
Effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, the USDA has updated the maximum SNAP benefit amounts. These values apply to 48 states including California, and represent the maximum possible SNAP allotment before income calculations.
Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefits
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 | $298 |
| 2 | $546 |
| 3 | $785 |
| 4 | $994 |
| 5 | $1,183 |
| 6 | $1,421 |
| 7 | $1,571 |
| 8 | $1,789 |
For households with more than eight members, add $218 per additional person.
These amounts apply to the 48 contiguous states, including California. SNAP benefit calculations subtract a household’s net income from the maximum amount to determine the final payment.
Eligibility Income Limits for SNAP (Reference)
Monthly Income Limits (130% & 100% FPL)
To qualify for SNAP benefits, households must fall within specific gross and net income limits. These limits are effective for the same 2025–2026 period.
| Household Size | Max Gross Income (130% FPL) | Max Net Income (100% FPL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,696 | $1,305 |
| 2 | $2,292 | $1,763 |
| 3 | $2,888 | $2,221 |
| 4 | $3,483 | $2,680 |
| 5 | $4,079 | $3,138 |
| 6 | $4,675 | $3,596 |
| 7 | $5,271 | $4,055 |
| 8 | $5,867 | $4,513 |
Additional person: +$596 gross / +$459 net
Households with elderly or disabled members may qualify with higher limits (up to 165% FPL).
Conclusion
The federal appeals court’s decision to uphold full SNAP benefits brought immediate financial relief to millions of families, even as the Supreme Court’s late-night stay injected new uncertainty into the process. Still, states acted quickly to ensure food assistance payments reached those who rely on them the most. With updated SNAP benefit amounts and revised income limits, households can now better understand what support may be available in the coming year. Staying informed is essential as legal decisions continue to shape how benefits are distributed during the federal shutdown.
FAQs
1. Are SNAP payments for November guaranteed?
Many beneficiaries already received full payments, but future releases depend on pending appeals and legal decisions.
2. Did the Supreme Court stop all SNAP benefits?
No. The stay only pauses the order, not payments already issued. Families who received benefits can use them.
3. How are SNAP benefits calculated?
The USDA subtracts a household’s net income from the maximum monthly allotment to determine the final benefit amount.