Mississippi issues partial November SNAP benefits after shutdown halt
MDHS to distribute 65% of funds following new USDA guidance; recipients urged to secure EBT accounts
JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would begin receiving partial November benefits starting Monday, Nov. 10, after a halt caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) announced the partial distribution, which will provide up to 65 percent of a recipient’s normal allotment. The announcement follows new guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
The news offers partial relief to approximately 384,800 Mississippians who were left in uncertainty after MDHS announced on Oct. 24 that all November benefits would be paused due to the federal funding lapse.
MDHS emphasized that the partial benefit amounts were set by the USDA, not the state agency. The status of the remaining 35 percent of November benefits remains dependent on a federal resolution to the shutdown.
SNAP benefits in Mississippi are issued on a rolling basis from the 4th to the 21st of each month. According to the agency, recipients whose normal payment date falls between Nov. 4 and Nov. 10 will receive their partial benefits as early as Nov. 10.
All other recipients will receive their partial payment on their regularly scheduled issuance date.
In preparation for the issuance, MDHS urged all SNAP clients to take security precautions to protect their food assistance from fraud and skimming. The agency advises recipients to register for an account at ConnectEBT.com and to change their EBT card PIN. The department specifically recommended changing the PIN after every use.
Recipients are also advised to:
- Monitor all account transactions for suspicious activity and report it to MDHS.
- Ensure all case information is current to avoid interruptions in benefits.
- Follow official MDHS social media channels for the latest updates.
MDHS stated it will continue to share information as updates become available. Recipients can find the latest details on the MDHS website at www.mdhs.ms.gov.
