November 2025 SNAP Updates

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about November 2025 SNAP Updates.

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, which made significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that all states must implement. These changes become effective in Massachusetts on November 1.  SNAP clients will not all be impacted at once. SNAP benefit changes will happen on a rolling basis at each client’s annual recertification. Clients will be notified by DTA when they need to recertify, and if any of these changes apply to them.

Also, on October 1, 2025 Congress failed to pass an appropriations bill leading to a shutdown of the federal government. 

Below are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to provide more information on the effect this will have on SNAP clients in Massachusetts.

Federal Government Shutdown and SNAP

What do these court rulings mean? 

• The recent court rulings mean that judges decided USDA is now required to send full November SNAP benefits. Massachusetts is acting swiftly to send SNAP to families.

Why have my benefits been delayed? 

• The Trump Administration chose not to send November SNAP benefits because of the federal shutdown, and were sued for this. Courts have since ordered the Trump Administration and USDA to fund November SNAP benefits fully. USDA sent guidance to states on 11/7 confirming they will be fully funding November SNAP benefits.
• DTA and its EBT vendor have been following this situation closely and preparing to make changes with the new information.
• Now we are planning to issue full November SNAP benefits to client’s cards as quickly as possible.

When will I get my next SNAP benefits?   

• DTA is working as quickly as possible to ensure clients receive their benefits promptly.
• At this time, we expect to be able to issue full November SNAP benefits in the next few days through the week of November 10. 
• DTA will continue to share additional information as it becomes available.
   

Who will get SNAP benefits over the next few days?

• At this time, currently active SNAP households will get their full November SNAP benefits over the next few days, into next week.
• If you are currently in an active SNAP household and are approved for November cyclical benefits, you will likely get your full November SNAP benefits soon.

If I apply for SNAP in November, will I get benefits?  

• If you apply for SNAP benefits and are approved, you will get your November SNAP benefits. 
• DTA will continue its normal business processes, accepting new applications and approving and sending SNAP benefits eligible households.

One Big Beautiful Bill Implementation

If the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed in July, why are changes only happening now?

The Trump administration waited months to issue guidance implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's provisions on Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work rules, non-citizen eligibility, and the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA). DTA has been preparing while awaiting federal direction for consistent implementation across all states.  

Will immigrants lose benefits immediately?

Certain non-citizens who newly apply starting November 1st will not be eligible for SNAP based on eligibility changes made by the Trump Administration and the OBBB. Certain non-citizens who already receive SNAP but are impacted by these changed rules through DTA will be ineligible as of their next recertification period.

What about the new work requirements?

Beginning November 1, more people must meet ABAWD work rules at application or recertification. This includes parents with teens 14+, homeless individuals, veterans, and people up to 65. Over the next year, DTA expects up to approximately 99,000 more people to be required to meet strict work requirements to keep benefits. Because of the confusing and administratively burdensome nature of these rules, many of these people could lose their SNAP eligibility.  

DTA will check if you have to meet the work rules during your Recertification. Before then, you do not need to contact DTA about the work rules. You can also talk to community partners near you to help understand the changes. Find a list of SNAP Outreach Partners here: SNAP outreach partners |Mass.gov.

How will Massachusetts handle the Payment Error Rate penalties?

On top of continuous quality improvement efforts, DTA is implementing technology upgrades and enhanced training to maintain accuracy while protecting service quality, with potential penalties of $131-394M annually starting in Fiscal Year 2028. The Department is recruiting additional caseworkers to identify and correct errors more efficiently, expanding staff training in high-impact areas like eligibility determination and income verification, and strengthening partnerships with the Department of Unemployment and Department of Revenue to ensure access to the most current and accurate income data available.  

November SNAP Outreach Materials