LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Gov. Andy Beshear said the state has received the green light to fully fund SNAP food benefits for Kentuckians.
Beshear said in a post on X Friday afternoon the hope is that the state's nearly 600,000 recipients will start seeing benefits on their cards Saturday.
Great news, Kentucky – we’ve finally received the go-ahead to fully fund SNAP benefits for Kentuckians who rely on this assistance. Once again, our team will work through the night tonight, with the hope our families can see those benefits hit cards tomorrow. 1/2
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) November 14, 2025
This comes as the longest U.S. government shutdown ever comes to an end, leaving states scrambling to get benefits to cardholders.
A back-and-forth series of court rulings and shifting policies from President Donald Trump's administration has led to a patchwork distribution of November benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. While some states already had issued full SNAP benefits, about two-thirds of states had issued only partial benefits or none at all before the government shutdown ended late Wednesday, according to an Associated Press tally.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the program, issued new guidance Thursday, instructing: “State agencies must take immediate steps to ensure households receive their full November allotments promptly.”
The federal food program serves about 42 million people, about 1 in 8 Americans, in lower-income households. They receive an average of around $190 monthly per person, though that doesn't necessarily cover the full cost of groceries for a regular month.
Because of the uncertainty over benefits, the USDA told states to exclude November from a federal requirement that most adult SNAP recipients work, volunteer or participate in job training for at least 80 hours a month. Under normal circumstances, recipients can only go three months in a span of three years without meeting the work requirements.
The USDA told states Oct. 24 that it would not fund SNAP benefits for November amid the government shutdown. Many Democratic-led states sued to have the funding restored, including Kentucky.
In a news release Thursday, Beshear said a federal judge ruled in favor of the state Oct. 31, demanding funding be partially restored. In the interim, the governor directed $5 million to Feeding Kentucky food banks and authorized the Kentucky National Guard to help staff food banks as needed. Beshear said Kentucky was one of the first states to process partial SNAP benefits Nov. 6.
"Coming out of the federal shutdown, what's most important is that people in Kentucky get the help they need — especially ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday," Beshear said in Thursday's news release. "Team Kentucky is ready to process the benefits as quickly as possible once we receive clearance from the federal government to help our fellow Kentuckians who rely on SNAP."
Trump signed a government funding bill Wednesday night, ending a record 43-day shutdown that caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at airports and generated long lines at some food banks.
The signing ceremony came just hours after the House passed the measure on a mostly party-line vote of 222-209. The Senate had already passed the measure Monday.
The legislation to reopen the U.S. government provides full SNAP benefits not only for November but also for the remainder of the federal fiscal year, which runs through next September. Citing that legislation, the Justice Department on Thursday dropped its request for the Supreme Court to continue blocking a judicial order to pay full SNAP benefits.
This story may be updated.
Related Coverage:
Kentucky food banks stretched thin as demand rises and donations fall during shutdown
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Louisville nonprofits, JCPS step up to help families as SNAP payments lapse
‘Not sustainable’ | Food pantries in Kentucky, Indiana overwhelmed as SNAP benefits stall
Louisville food pantries brace for surge as SNAP benefits halted during government shutdown
Louisville nonprofits give away gift cards to combat SNAP crisis in Jefferson County
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press also contributed to this report.
