HARTFORD–Governor Ned Lamont said on Saturday that full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November have been loaded onto the EBT cards of Connecticut SNAP recipients.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP, has not complied with a federal order directing the agency to provide full benefits; Lamont authorized the use of state funds to fill the gap. Since Lamont’s announcement, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily blocked a judge’s order that had directed the Trump administration to release November food assistance benefits in full the same day.

Connecticut’s electronic benefits transfer (EBT) vendor says it will be able to transfer money onto recipients’ EBT cards within 48 hours of the funds being made available, which is imminent, the governor said.

“I’m relieved to share that families will receive their full benefits for the month of November and can plan their grocery shopping accordingly,” Governor Lamont said.

SNAP benefits have been halted as a casualty of partisan battles in Washington, as the longest-ever shutdown down the federal government continues. On Thursday, a U.S. District Judge John McConnell ordered the USDA to provide the complete benefits. 

“Families in need of food assistance should never have been used as political pawns due to Washington’s dysfunction,” Lamont said. “(T)he federal administration’s attempts to prevent families from accessing this funding has just been cruel. I am extremely appreciative of all the community partners and generous people of Connecticut who’ve rallied over these last few days to ensure that nobody in our state goes hungry.”

SNAP recipients do not need to take any action. Benefits will automatically be loaded onto EBT cards and will be available for use at grocery stores and other authorized retailers throughout Connecticut.

To check the balance amounts on EBT cards, visit MyDSS.ct.gov or call 1-888-328-2666.