The federal government shutdown has officially ended, and the USDA is now required to issue full November SNAP benefits — including any partial payments made during the shutdown — to all eligible recipients.
Officials say missed or delayed benefits will be reimbursed retroactively and loaded directly onto SNAP EBT cards. Most families should see the completed November amount within the next few days, though state processing times and weekends may cause slight delays.
With funding restored, several policy changes are also taking effect. More adults — including parents of teens, homeless individuals, veterans, and adults up to age 65 — will now be required to meet work or training reporting rules. All Kentucky counties are once again subject to SNAP time limits, with no hardship exemptions. And some non-citizen groups, such as trafficking survivors and refugees are no longer eligible under federal guidelines.
Recipients can check their benefits through kynect.ky.gov, the EBT Edge app, or by calling the number on their card. Families needing immediate food assistance can visit kynect.ky.gov/resources, findhelpnowky.org, or dial 211.
