Rhode Island & Massachusetts Governors Address Shifting SNAP Benefit Guidance
PROVIDENCE, RI & BOSTON, MA (WJAR) – Governors dan McKee of Rhode Island and Maura Healey of Massachusetts are assuring residents that their EBT cards will remain active despite a recent, revised directive from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The change follows a stay issued by the Supreme Court.
the USDA initially instructed states to issue full November SNAP benefits, aligning with a previous court order. However, new guidance now directs states not to issue full benefits and to limit allotments to 35% of the expected amount, pending further direction from the Food and Nutrition Service. This reversal comes after both rhode Island and Massachusetts had already distributed full November benefits to recipients on Saturday.
The USDA stated that states which sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025 acted “unauthorized” and warned of potential consequences for non-compliance, including cancellation of federal administrative cost shares and liability for overissuances.
Governor McKee stated his team has contacted the Food and Nutrition Service regarding the update. He expressed strong disapproval of the situation, saying, “I am disgusted by the chaos and hardship that President Trump and his Governance continue to create across the country…Rhode Islanders, and all Americans, have been anxious, confused-and hungry.” As of Saturday, approximately 79,000 Rhode Island SNAP recipients had received their benefits, and the state has contingency plans in place should future funding be impacted.
Governor Healey affirmed that Massachusetts residents should continue using funds on their EBT cards, adding, ”If President Trump wants to penalize states for preventing Americans from going hungry, we will see him in court.” She emphasized that the full benefits were processed in accordance with prior guidance from the Trump Administration and a lower court order before the Supreme Court’s stay. She also indicated collaboration with Attorney General Andrea Campbell to ensure full benefits are received.
According to governor Healey, 100% of Massachusetts SNAP beneficiaries have received their full November allotment.
