For many Americans, this November brings a sense of relief. After weeks of uncertainty over whether Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be funded during the federal budget standoff, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that payments for November 2025 will arrive as scheduled.
SNAP recipients across the country can expect their deposits to follow each state’s usual schedule, with no delays or interruptions. That means families depending on food assistance can move forward with some peace of mind. Still, a new set of federal rules quietly took effect this month, changing how eligibility is verified for certain adults without dependents.
Here’s what to know about the updated payment schedule and what these new requirements mean going forward.
When will November SNAP payments arrive
There isn’t a single payday for SNAP benefits. Since the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is administered by individual states under USDA guidance, each state has its own deposit schedule. Most distribute benefits between the 1st and the 20th of the month, though some—like Florida—spread payments almost the entire month.
California typically issues benefits between the 1st and 10th, based on the last digit of the case number. Texas spreads payments from the 1st through the 28th, depending on the last two digits of the EDG number. Florida also goes from the 1st to the 28th, while New York generally pays between the 1st and 9th, depending on the county. Illinois runs from the 1st through the 20th, and Georgia from the 5th to the 23rd.
Most states base deposit timing on case or ID numbers, but some use Social Security numbers. If you’re unsure when yours lands, check your state’s online portal or the USDA’s SNAP state directory at fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory. Keep in mind that holidays and system maintenance can cause minor date shifts, so it’s smart to confirm your payment before planning your grocery trip.
What’s changing with SNAP in November
While deposits are secure, the new month brings one of the biggest rule updates in years. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), passed earlier this year, tightens work requirements for certain recipients. The rules mainly affect able-bodied adults without dependents, known as ABAWDs—people aged 18 to 64 who are considered fit for work.
Under the updated policy, ABAWDs must now document at least 80 hours a month of paid work, approved job training, or volunteer service to stay eligible for SNAP. States are also required to verify those hours more rigorously, ending the pandemic-era flexibility that had allowed some regions to waive or ease these rules.
Exemptions still exist but are narrower. Pregnant individuals, people with verified disabilities, caregivers, and homeless individuals with good-cause exemptions can continue receiving benefits without meeting the 80-hour requirement—but they’ll need to provide proof and renew documentation regularly.
If you receive SNAP benefits, now is the time to review any notices from your state agency, confirm your contact information, and gather documentation for work hours or exemptions. Payments this month won’t be delayed—but eligibility reviews will get stricter moving forward.