Kathy Hochul orders all SNAP benefits be paid out in NY—Dept of Ag demands states 'reverse action' on funding plans

The US Department of Agriculture has issued a new memo warning states not to issue full SNAP benefits for November, following the Supreme Court’s temporary stay of a lower court order. The guidance directly conflicts with New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to resume full payments using federal funds after the month-long federal shutdown.

The payments began going out Sunday morning, nine days after they were halted for the first time in US history. Roughly 2.9 million New Yorkers depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. Hochul said she authorized the move to ease what she called “chaos and confusion” from Washington.

“While Donald Trump has fought relentlessly to keep food off New Yorkers’ tables, families who rely on SNAP can finally breathe a sigh of relief as benefits begin to arrive,” Hochul said in a post on X. “I’ll never stop fighting for New Yorkers or holding Republicans in Washington accountable.”

The agency said Saturday that states should only issue 65 percent of November benefits while the shutdown continues, calling full payments “unauthorized.” Politico reports that the USDA warned any extra funds might have to be clawed back later. “States must not transmit full benefit issuance files to EBT processors,” the memo from the department states, warning that noncompliance could lead to USDA sanctions and repayment of any unauthorized funds. “States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025.”

“The federal government is paying for it,” spokeswoman Jen Goodman said, saying that an outside vendor processes the benefits and loads them onto recipients’ cards.

Hochul has said it is a necessary step to help struggling families. “President Trump is hellbent on preventing millions of Americans from putting food on the table,” she said Friday. “He’s made decision after decision to withhold funding that feeds families, seniors and children — and continues doubling down on this cruelty by challenging the courts’ clear orders.”

The dispute comes as Hochul faces new political pressure after Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) announced her 2026 gubernatorial bid. Polls suggest the race could be close.

SNAP provides food aid to roughly 42 million Americans at a cost of about $9 billion per month. The average household on the program gets about $332 monthly, while families with children receive around $575.

The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, has dragged into its second month.