A sudden shift in federal funding has left families across the country uncertain about their food assistance benefits. While the federal situation remains unsettled, the State of Maryland is stepping in to provide short-term relief to SNAP recipients.
Maryland Takes Action
On November 3, Governor Wes Moore issued an emergency order directing the state to provide a one-time state supplemental benefit to current Maryland SNAP customers. The supplement—equal to half of each household’s October SNAP benefit—will be automatically loaded to EBT cards beginning November 11.
“We recognize the uncertainty from the federal government is a tremendous burden for Maryland families,” the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) stated. “We are working to ensure customers receive their benefits as quickly as possible.”
This state-issued benefit is intended to help Marylanders while the Trump Administration appeals a federal court order requiring the federal government to fully fund SNAP.
How This Affects Current SNAP Customers
- Current Maryland SNAP customers will receive a state supplemental benefit equal to 50% of their October SNAP benefit.
- Benefits will begin posting to EBT cards starting November 11.
- Due to ongoing federal litigation, the timeline for resuming normal federal SNAP payments remains unclear.
Maryland will continue sharing updates as new federal information becomes available.
If You Have a Pending SNAP Application
Maryland will continue to:
- Accept applications,
- Process renewals, and
- Determine eligibility.
However, federal rules prevent the release of SNAP benefits for any approval notice dated after November 1, until the federal government restores SNAP funding.
Applicants are encouraged to still apply and keep their contact information up to date so benefits can be issued as soon as federal operations resume.
Other Cash Assistance Benefits Are Not Affected
The following programs are not impacted by the federal shutdown and will be delivered on schedule:
- Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
- Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP)
- Public Assistance to Adults (PAA)
- Emergency Assistance for Families with Children
- Refugee Cash Assistance
Additional Resources for Marylanders
Residents experiencing food or financial need are encouraged to access the following resources:
- Local food pantries and community kitchens, including the Maryland Food Bank and Capital Area Food Bank
- 211 Maryland (call, text, or chat for referrals to services)
- American Job Centers (career support, résumé workshops, coaching, job fairs)
- The Professional Outplacement Assistance Center (services for displaced workers)
- Veterans resources, legal assistance, and housing/health coverage programs
Where to Get Help
Check eligibility, apply for benefits, or update case information at:
MarylandBenefits.gov
For questions or immediate support:
Call Maryland DHS at 1-800-332-6347
It wasn’t equal to half my SNAP amount. For me I received less than 1/3 of my regular SNAP amount.
What about us on the eastern shore nobody thinks about us people on this side of the bay bridge doesn’t count in the government eyes we are nobody’s here