(DCCA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service has issued a formal notice titled: “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefit and Administrative Expense Update for November 2025” dated on Oct. 10, 2025 to all regional SNAP directors, all regions, SNAP state agency directors and all state agencies.
This notice follows the Oct. 1, 2025, Lapse of Appropriation Correspondence, which stated that SNAP currently has funding available for benefits and operations through the month of October. However, if the ongoing lapse in federal appropriation continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals nationwide. The current U.S. government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1, 2025, following the lapse in federal appropriations, has led to the temporary suspension of benefit issuances.
In consultation with FNS officials, it was clarified that this also affects the CNMI Nutrition Assistance Program. It was reiterated that no “NAP benefits are to be issued in the month of November.”
The USDA agency emphasized that, due to operational issues and system constraints, all states are directed to hold their November issuance files and delay transmission to Electronic Benefit Transfer vendors.
The USDA-FNS notice stated, “USDA-FNS recognizes the importance of this critical nutrition program and deeply appreciates the continue partnership and patience of States. We will continue to keep you apprised with information as we exercise due diligence in our prudent oversight of the program.”
The CNMI Nutrition Assistance Program continues to monitor this situation closely and remains in coordination with the USDA-FNS Western Regional Office to ensure timely updates and communication are provided to our community.
The EBT card only distribution will continue as scheduled across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. All NAP recipients are strongly advised to secure their EBT cards upon receipt, as these cards will be required to access food benefits once authorization is granted.
