Kentucky SNAP Relief Finally Moves Forward: Here’s What to Expect From the Delayed November Payments
Kentuckians who rely on SNAP benefits have been living in
limbo for weeks. Now there’s finally movement. Gov. Andy Beshear says the
federal government will start processing November SNAP payments on Thursday,
Nov. 6 — a small but crucial step after days of mixed messages and political
back-and-forth.
Here’s the thing. On Nov. 5, Beshear got word from federal
officials that payments would begin processing the next day. That confirmation
puts an end to the will-they-won’t-they confusion that’s been building since
mid-October, when the Trump administration first said SNAP funds might not be
issued during the ongoing government shutdown.
That announcement threw millions into panic mode. Democratic
governors — including Beshear — sued, arguing the federal government had never
withheld SNAP assistance since the program began in 1960. Courts eventually
stepped in on Oct. 31 and ordered the administration to release at least part
of the funding. On Nov. 4, officials said partial payments would move forward.
Hours later, Trump posted online saying they wouldn’t.
So yes, the situation has been a mess.
What happens now?
Even though processing begins Nov. 6, that doesn’t mean
benefits will show up immediately. Patrick Penn from the USDA says states may
need “days, weeks, or even months” to reprogram their systems and work with
contractors before money can reach EBT cards.
Beshear says Kentucky will move as fast as humanly possible.
“Once funding is received, our teams will be working day and
night to make sure it happens,” he said. He also authorized the National Guard
to help food banks stay fully focused on food distribution rather than staffing
costs.
Back on Oct. 31, he signed an executive order sending $5
million to food banks to keep families afloat during the uncertainty.
How many Kentuckians depend on SNAP?
A lot.
In Kentucky, 1 in 8 residents relies on SNAP. In Louisville alone, about 60,000
public school students live in households that qualify.
And in several southeastern Kentucky counties, SNAP
participation is even higher. Places like McCreary, Knox, Harlan, Clay, and
Bell counties hover above 30%. Owsley County tops the list with roughly 57% of
households receiving assistance.
Here’s What November SNAP Payments Will Look Like
Now to the part everyone’s waiting for: how much money will
actually arrive.
Because the government is tapping into emergency funds — and
those funds don’t cover the full monthly cost — November SNAP benefits will be about
50% of the usual amount, according to the USDA.
Below is the breakdown for the 48 contiguous states and
D.C.:
|
Household Size |
Normal Max Benefit |
November Max (50%) |
|
1 |
$298 |
$149 |
|
2 |
$546 |
$273 |
|
3 |
$785 |
$392 |
|
4 |
$994 |
$497 |
|
5 |
$1,183 |
$591 |
|
6 |
$1,421 |
$710 |
|
7 |
$1,571 |
$785 |
|
8 |
$1,789 |
$894 |
|
Each additional person |
+$218 |
+$109 |
Benefits are higher in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands, but the same rule applies — expect half the usual amount.
Not everyone gets the max. Actual payments depend on income,
assets, dependents, and a few other factors. As a rough guide: take 30% of your
net monthly income and subtract it from the maximum allotment for your
household size.
The minimum benefit will be $12 for a 1- or 2-person
household in the lower 48 and D.C.
When will the money actually hit EBT cards?
That’s the frustrating part.
The federal government might release the funds this week, but reloading EBT
cards can take up to two weeks depending on the state. And because every state
handles SNAP differently, timelines are all over the place.
Some states — like New Mexico and Virginia — dipped into
their own emergency funds to keep EBT cards running. Others are waiting on
Washington. Many are focusing on supporting food banks instead of issuing
direct payments.
As of now, the USDA hasn’t provided a clear timeline for
when all November payments will go out.
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