In Utah, nearly 169,300 residents — including both adults and children — who rely on food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have yet to receive their November benefits, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services.
While many states across the country have successfully distributed full SNAP payments, Utah beneficiaries remain uncertain about when they will get the aid they depend on for groceries and essential needs.
Some States Acted Fast to Release SNAP Payments
More than half a dozen states managed to issue full SNAP benefits on Friday, just before an emergency Supreme Court order allowed the Trump administration to pause full payments while continuing its legal battle over SNAP funding.
Wisconsin Leads with Swift Action
In Wisconsin, approximately 337,000 households received over $104 million in food assistance shortly after midnight on Friday, as reported by a spokesperson for Governor Tony Evers.
The state moved quickly after a federal court order on Thursday directed the administration to fund SNAP benefits in full. Wisconsin immediately contacted its EBT card vendor to ensure payments were processed on time.
Oregon Worked Overnight to Help Families
Similarly, in Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek confirmed that state employees worked through the night to make sure families could purchase groceries by Friday morning. These quick actions ensured that thousands of families had uninterrupted access to food.
Utah Awaits Federal Guidance Before Distributing Benefits
In contrast, Utah officials have not yet distributed November SNAP benefits. Becky Wickstrom, spokesperson for the Department of Workforce Services, declined to clarify whether the state tried to speed up payments.
She emphasized that Utah had not received “finalized guidance” from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding full funding.
“It’s not a truthful implication that Utah isn’t working around the clock to get people SNAP benefits,” Wickstrom said. “We are governed by USDA rules when issuing SNAP benefits.”
Federal Officials Defend the Decision
The Trump administration argued in a Supreme Court filing that states issuing full benefits acted too hastily, using limited federal funds that could impact other states.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote that there was “no ready mechanism for the government to recover those funds,” highlighting concerns about fairness in benefit distribution.
Utah to Issue Partial SNAP Payments
According to Wickstrom, Utah will soon distribute 65% of November’s SNAP funding to the state’s 86,000 food stamp households.
However, this partial payment will take several days to process. Officials must first reconfigure the distribution system, conduct testing, and validate transactions before loading funds onto EBT cards.
Food Assistance Resources for Families in Need
Residents who are struggling to access food during this delay can contact Utah 211, a free helpline that connects people with food banks, shelters, and other local resources.
The United Way of Salt Lake reported a 25% increase in food assistance requests through Utah 211, as families face growing uncertainty amid the ongoing government funding disputes and SNAP delays.
State Leaders Seek Emergency Support
As SNAP benefits remain uncertain, Utah leaders have pledged up to $4 million in emergency funding for the Utah Food Bank.
Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have called on Republican leaders to convene a special legislative session to consider using part of the state’s $330 million rainy-day fund to cover the gap in SNAP benefits and ensure families get the help they need.
Utah’s delayed SNAP payments have left thousands of residents waiting for vital food support, while other states acted swiftly to deliver aid.
As the USDA finalizes its guidance and Utah prepares partial payments, community organizations and lawmakers are stepping in to ensure no family goes hungry.
The coming days will determine whether the state can resolve the issue quickly and restore full confidence in its SNAP distribution system.
