Media Contact:
Nov 07, 2025
Lilly Price
Press Secretary
lillian.price@maryland.gov
The Moore-Miller Administration State Supplemental Benefit Will Help SNAP Customers Buy Food as the Trump Shutdown Drags On
Annapolis, MD — Today, the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that, as a result of Governor Moore’s November 3 emergency order, Maryland SNAP customers can expect a state supplemental benefit starting November 11.
Maryland SNAP customers who usually receive SNAP benefits on or before November 11 will receive a state supplemental benefit in the amount of half of their October SNAP benefit on the 11th. All other customers will receive the state supplemental benefit at the normal time they would receive SNAP benefits.
The Trump Administration decided to stop funding SNAP on November 1st. On November 3rd, the federal government said it would provide 50% November SNAP benefits. On November 6th, a federal court ordered the Trump Administration to fully fund SNAP benefits. The Trump Administration has appealed this order.
While the Trump Administration skirts its responsibility to fully fund SNAP, Maryland is taking action. On November 3rd, Governor Moore issued an emergency order to make $62 million from the State’s Fiscal Responsibility Fund available to provide a supplemental state benefit to current customers’ Maryland Independence EBT cards in November.
“Maryland families shouldn’t have to suffer because the federal government chose to pause vital benefits,” said Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López. “The governor’s decisive action is helping prevent Maryland families from going hungry during this senseless government shutdown. We will move urgently to get Marylanders the SNAP benefits their families depend on to put food on the table.”
The Trump Administration has continued to make conflicting statements and issue varying guidance on the amount and timing of November SNAP benefits following the recent court orders.
DHS will continue to approve new SNAP applications and renewals. However, the federal government will not release benefits for customers who did not receive an approval notice dated before November 1.
Other direct cash assistance programs like Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP), Public Assistance to Adults (PAA), Emergency for Families with Children, and Refugee Cash Assistance will be delivered on schedule and are not currently impacted by the federal government shutdown.
State Supplemental Follows Additional Maryland Food Aid
In addition to the state supplemental, on October 30, 2025, Governor Moore announced a $10 million emergency grant from the Fiscal Responsibility Fund to quickly get food on the tables of Marylanders impacted by the federal government shutdown and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s delayed release of November SNAP benefits.
Additional Help is Available
As the shutdown continues, Maryland will continue to offer a broad range of support for federal employees and other workers impacted by federal actions, including:
- The Maryland Food Bank and Capital Area Food Bank, as well as 211 Maryland.
- Support in finding a new job through 33 American Job Centers and a specialized Professional Outplacement Assistance Center, including individualized career guidance, résumé workshops, mock interviews, career and skills assessment, effective job search strategies, and networking support;
- Additional career resources, such as information on transitioning to a teaching career;
- A weekly virtual workshop designed specifically for former federal employees and federal contractors, and attended by more than 1,700 workers to date;
- Job fairs and recruitment events;
- Unemployment insurance;
- Resources for veterans;
- Legal resources; and
- Resources related to health coverage, housing, and food, cash, and other assistance.
This is an evolving situation and we will continue to share information as we learn more. We invite customers to continue to keep their information up to date, check their eligibility, and apply for help at MarylandBenefits.gov.
