The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is operating under special rules for November 2025 because of limited federal funding and recent federal court orders. These changes affect the amount of benefits households receive, even though eligibility rules remain the same as usual. States must apply these rules immediately for all participating and newly applying households.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) first issued guidance on November 4, 2025, explaining that maximum benefits would be reduced to 50 percent. A second memo released on November 5, 2025, corrected this and confirmed that benefits would instead be set at 65 percent of the regular maximum allotment. States were instructed to use the updated tables without delaying case processing.
These changes apply nationwide, including the 48 states and D.C., Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Although the benefit amounts are lower for the month, states must continue following the normal rules for eligibility, certification, and application processing.
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SNAP Reduction Rules for November 2025
The USDA confirmed that SNAP maximum allotments for November 2025 are set at 65% of the standard rate. This is a correction to the 50% reduction announced a day earlier. The final allotment figures are included in the updated tables sent to state agencies. All states must calculate benefits based on this 65% level.
State agencies must also apply rounding rules required under federal regulation. Benefit amounts of $1, $3, and $5 must be rounded to $2, $4, and $6. This ensures uniformity for all states during the temporary reduction period. The reduction applies only to November and does not affect any earlier months.
Minimum Monthly Benefit Protection
Federal law requires that one- and two-person households receive at least the minimum SNAP benefit. This rule remains active even during reduced funding periods. Minimum benefit levels vary by region due to cost-of-living adjustments. These minimums apply automatically and cannot be lowered by the temporary reduction.
Households in territories and Alaska receive higher minimum benefits than those in the 48 states and D.C. This is consistent with federal rules that consider food pricing differences across regions. States must apply these minimums directly based on the updated November 2025 tables.
Mandatory Mass Change Notification
States must notify households of the reduction using mass change notices. Individual adverse action notices are not required because the reduction is a program-wide change ordered under federal authority. This means all households are informed at the same time through the standard statewide process.
Households cannot appeal simply because they disagree with the nationwide reduction. They can only request a fair hearing if the reduction is applied incorrectly to their household. The reduction itself cannot be challenged in a hearing.
Updated Eligibility Rules for November 2025
SNAP eligibility rules have not changed for November 2025. Income limits, resource limits, household definitions, work requirements, and student rules continue under the standard federal guidelines. The USDA confirmed that only the benefit amount is reduced, not the rules that determine who qualifies.
Households must still meet gross and net income limits to qualify. Deductions for housing, utilities, medical expenses, and child care continue to apply normally. The temporary reduction does not alter how eligibility is calculated by state agencies.
How November Benefits Are Calculated
For November, benefit amounts are calculated using the standard formula with one key change. The maximum allotment is first reduced to 65% based on household size. After this, states subtract 30 percent of the household’s net income, as required under normal SNAP rules.
This calculation method applies to new applicants and current households. It also applies to households reporting changes that affect eligibility. The reduced maximum allotment is used only for this month and will return to normal when federal guidance allows.
SNAP Work Requirements in November 2025
General Work Rules Continue
All general SNAP work rules remain active. Adults aged 16–59 must register for work, accept suitable job offers, and participate in employment programs when assigned. The November benefit reduction does not suspend or modify these requirements.
If a household member does not meet general work rules, the state may impose penalties that reduce or suspend benefits. These sanctions operate separately from the temporary reduction ordered at the federal level.
ABAWD Time-Limit Rules
Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) must continue to meet the federal requirement of at least 80 hours per month of work or qualifying activities. States may offer work programs or training options to help participants meet this rule. ABAWD exemptions for medical issues, pregnancy, homelessness, or inability to work remain available.
Some states or counties may have active ABAWD waivers. These waivers remain valid unless the USDA issues new instructions. The November 2025 reduction does not affect waiver status.
Processing Applications and Ongoing Cases
State agencies must keep accepting and processing all SNAP applications. The reduction does not permit states to pause or slow down approvals. All applicants must receive an eligibility decision based on federal deadlines. If approved, they receive the reduced November benefit.
Applications submitted in November are processed using the updated 65% allotment levels. All normal verification, documentation, and interview rules apply. The reduction affects only the benefit amount, not the approval criteria.
Expedited SNAP Issuance
Households that qualify for expedited SNAP must receive benefits within seven days. States must follow this rule even during the reduction period. Expedited households will receive their November allotment based on the reduced maximum amount.
States must also ensure that expedited benefits are delivered through regular issuance systems. The USDA has provided administrative funds to support these activities throughout November.
Fair Hearing Conditions
Fair hearings may be requested only if the reduction was calculated incorrectly for the household. States may deny hearing requests that challenge the nationwide decision itself. All hearing procedures continue using normal timelines.
Revised November 2025 SNAP Allotment Levels
Below is the single required table, showing the revised 65% allotment amounts for the 48 states and Washington, D.C.
| Household Size | Monthly Allotment (65%) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $193 |
| 2 | $355 |
| 3 | $510 |
| 4 | $646 |
| 5 | $769 |
| 6 | $924 |
| 7 | $1,021 |
| 8 | $1,163 |
| Each additional person | +$142 |
These amounts come directly from the revised USDA tables issued on November 5, 2025, replacing the earlier 50% reduction table.