Governor Janet Mills (D) has directed the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to issue full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November to eligible households, following multiple federal court rulings and updated guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the ongoing federal shutdown.
The directive comes after federal court orders compelled the USDA to release contingency funding for SNAP, reversing earlier notices that benefits would not be distributed in November. New guidance issued Friday indicated the agency intends to make full funding available to comply with the court orders.
Mills said the state will move forward with issuing full SNAP benefits this month. Maine DHHS will distribute the benefits on its standard schedule, from November 10 through November 14. Applications, renewals, and case updates will continue to be processed during the shutdown.
SNAP serves about 170,000 Maine residents each month. The program provides roughly $29 million in federal assistance, with the average family of four receiving $572. Nearly 12.5% of Maine’s population relies on the program, with several counties approaching or exceeding 20%. Most households receiving SNAP include at least one working adult, and many include older adults, children, or individuals with disabilities.
Last week, Mills announced $1.25 million in support for food assistance organizations in Maine, including Good Shepherd Food Bank and the state’s Area Agencies on Aging, as the shutdown continued. She also joined 20 governors in sending a letter to the White House urging the release of contingency funds.
SNAP, the nation’s largest federal nutrition assistance program, provides monthly benefits that can be used for food purchases at authorized retailers. The program is funded by the USDA and administered by states to support food access and local economies.
