By Andi Anderson
Gov. Mike Braun announced that partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be available to eligible Indiana residents starting Tuesday, Nov. 11, as the state begins processing payments following a temporary funding gap.
SNAP, the nation’s largest federal food aid program, ran out of funding on Oct. 31, affecting over 571,000 Indiana residents who received assistance in September, according to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Due to the recent government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service has temporarily reduced the maximum SNAP benefit by 50 percent.
Since SNAP assumes households spend 30 percent of their net income on food, the state must now recalculate benefits by subtracting that amount from the reduced maximum allotment. The adjustment aims to stretch available funds while ensuring that families continue to receive at least partial assistance.
Braun’s announcement follows a series of federal lawsuits and a nationwide funding halt that left SNAP recipients uncertain about future benefits. Many food pantries across Indiana have already reported a surge in demand as federal aid temporarily decreased.
Late Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency order temporarily blocking a full restart of SNAP payments after a lower court required full benefits to be released. This ruling adds another layer to ongoing legal and political debates surrounding food aid distribution.
In a statement, Braun expressed optimism about restoring full benefits soon. “After weeks of gridlock, it’s good to see some folks in D.C. finally come to their senses,” Braun said. He added, “Indiana is well-positioned to distribute them as soon as possible.”
As negotiations in Washington near resolution, Indiana remains prepared to deliver full SNAP payments promptly once federal funding is reinstated. Residents needing immediate food support can dial 2-1-1 or reach out to local food banks for help.
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Categories: Indiana, Government & Policy