Governor Janet Mills has announced that she has directed the Maine Department and Health and Human Services (DHHS) to issue full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November to eligible Maine households.
The Governor issued this directive after multiple Federal court orders compelled the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release contingency funding for SNAP during the ongoing Federal shutdown. It is also consistent with new guidance released today by USDA (PDF), indicating the agency intends to make full funding for November available to comply with the Federal court order.
Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes:
SNAP is a lifeline that helps Maine people keep food on the table and sustains our local food economy. We are relieved that full benefits will issue and that Maine people will receive their November SNAP benefits timely.
Maine DHHS will issue full November SNAP benefits beginning on Nov. 10 through Nov. 14, the State’s standard schedule for issuing benefits. SNAP applications, renewals, and other updates continue to be accepted and processed by Maine DHHS during the Federal shutdown.
Maine DHHS’ Director for the Office for Family Independence Ian Yaffe:
SNAP benefits will be available beginning the week of November 10, in line with Maine’s standard issuance timelines. SNAP households should check their EBT card balance on their typical date of issuance to see their November standard issuance amount.
For more information on SNAP please visit DHHS’s Federal Shutdown SNAP FAQ website.
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