What happens to the SNAP money still on your card on Nov. 1? What NH residents should know

Will you still be able to use leftover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds on your EBT card in November, despite the government shutdown?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees SNAP, said there will not be enough funding to give enrolled Americans their food benefits next month. More than 75,000 New Hampshire residents will not receive their SNAP funds in November.

However, SNAP benefits typically roll over month to month, allowing a recipient to spend any unused money on their EBT card up to 274 days after it was issued, according to the USDA.

Questions have arisen about whether the policy will change under the government shutdown, especially since new benefits will not be issued in November.

Will EBT cards continue to work in November?

However, the USDA sent out a statement to all SNAP state agencies saying that recipients across the country will be able to keep using their EBT cards during the government shutdown. This means that any unused SNAP money is expected to roll over into November.

“The suspension applies only to November 2025 benefit issuance to households and does not impact any prior benefits, and as such, the authorization or redemption of benefits at eligible retailers is not impacted,” the USDA said.

You can check your EBT card balance at ebtedge.com or by calling 1-888-997-9777, New Hampshire DHHS said.

How to get food assistance in NH

Those who typically rely on SNAP benefits can use food banks and other subsidized meal programs amid the funding lapse.

The New Hampshire Food Bank has a map of food pantries and soup kitchens around the state. You can find the full map here: NH Food Bank Food Map.

You can also call 211 or visit 211nh.org for more food resources in the state.

Margie Cullen of the USA Today Network contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Bailey Allen.