HOUSTON – A new memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the federal government is working to release full November SNAP benefits as soon as today, even as the Trump administration continues to argue in court that it doesn’t have the funding to do so.
In the memo sent to states, including the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service wrote:
“FNS is working towards implementing November 2025 full benefit issuances in compliance with the November 6, 2025, order from the District Court of Rhode Island. Later today, FNS will complete the processes necessary to make funds available to support your subsequent transmittal of full issuance files to your EBT processor.”
At the same time, the Trump administration is asking a federal appeals court to pause that Rhode Island judge’s order, calling the mandate to issue full benefits “unprecedented” and financially unworkable.
In court filings, the administration said there is only enough money to cover partial November benefits. “This is a crisis, to be sure, but it is a crisis occasioned by congressional failure, and that can only be solved by congressional action.”
The filing argues the USDA cannot legally move funds from the Child Nutrition Programs, which fund free and reduced school meals, to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“It cannot possibly be arbitrary and capricious for USDA to decline to raid school-lunch money to instead fund SNAP benefits, to starve Peter to feed Paul, as it were,” the filing stated.
While legal arguments play out in Washington, the uncertainty is hitting home in Houston. At the Wesley Community Center on the city’s Northside, demand has surged as families wait for clarity on when their benefits will appear on their Lone Star cards.
Cars stretched for blocks around the building this week, with the pantry serving more than 600 households, one of its busiest days this year.
“We know our community’s being affected by reductions in SNAP benefits, folks not working right now because they are federal employees and not getting paid,” said Samantha Sherman, the center’s Chief Program Officer. “We’re seeing a lot of first-timers, people we’ve never seen before, coming here for the food support their families need right now.”
Sherman said the center isn’t restricted to zip code, meaning families from across the Houston area, from Spring to Channelview, are turning to pantries like Wesley for help.
“Our normal structure isn’t equipped to handle this volume,” she said. “It stresses our financial resources, our people resources, and our food resources.”
For residents like Lewis Pye, who depends on SNAP each month, the uncertainty has been difficult.
“They already sent me a letter telling me I wasn’t going to get nothing for this month,” Pye said, as he had groceries put into his car from the Wesley Community Center.
Pye said the emergency food will help for now, but he’s still waiting for the benefits that typically arrive this week.
The USDA memo indicates that states could begin processing full November SNAP benefits later today, but the administration’s legal challenge continues.
That means families may not see funds immediately or could still face delays, depending on the outcome of the appeal.
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