After sharing late Friday that the state received approval to fully fund SNAP benefits, Gov. Andy Beshear announced last Friday morning that eligible Kentuckians should see benefits loaded on their cards as soon Friday. Thanks to the quick work of Team Kentucky, the commonwealth was one of the first states to process full benefits for recipients.
“Once again, members of Team Kentucky worked through the night to process SNAP benefits to ensure their fellow Kentuckians didn’t have to wait a minute longer to receive the support they need to feed their loved ones,” said Gov. Beshear. “Despite the President’s refusal to release these benefits,
Kentucky has remained committed to doing everything we can to be there for our neighbors. Our government should fight hunger – not cause it – and we’re committed to leading with our values and doing what’s right.”
Due to the federal government shutdown, on Nov. 1, SNAP benefits – which almost 600,000 Kentuckians rely on to supplement their grocery budgets – were suspended. The Governor and Team Kentucky quickly took steps to help Kentuckians in need.
Gov. Beshear joined leaders from 24 other states and the District of Columbia in challenging the Trump administration over its unlawful decision to suspend SNAP. On Oct. 31, a federal judge ruled in favor of Kentucky and demanded that funding be partially restored. On Nov. 6, Kentucky became one of the first states to process those partial benefits.
Prior to that news and in preparation for any delays following the Oct. 31 ruling, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency, directed $5 million from the budget reserve trust fund to Feeding Kentucky food banks, and authorized the Kentucky National Guard to assist in staffing food banks as needed. The Governor also directed more than $12 million in state funds during the month of November to temporarily support the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Team Kentucky is also hosting a food drive, accepting non-perishable food at main state office buildings in Frankfort and at the L&N Building in Louisville. Donated items are being distributed throughout the state via Dare to Care, God’s Pantry and the Christian Appalachian Project.
During his Nov. 13 Team Kentucky Update, the Governor named the Department for Community Based Services and the Office of Application Technology Services, both within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
“After notification from the federal government, these folks worked through the night to ensure their neighbors had access to food through their SNAP benefits in the morning,” said Gov. Beshear. “And now, as the shutdown comes to an end, this team is once again willing and ready to process benefits as quickly as possible. To these folks: You’re making a difference, and I am proud to work alongside you. Thank you.”
The Kentucky Center for the Economic Policy reported, “The recently ended shutdown of the federal government demonstrated just how essential the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is to over 560,000 Kentuckians. Over the last month, as the Trump administration battled states, cities and nonprofits in court over how much SNAP benefits to get out to hungry families, Kentucky managed to get partial benefits to people needing help to refill their pantries.
The deal to reopen the government has provided the remainder of the SNAP benefits that households are owed, and continue to fund monthly benefits through next September. But with the shutdown pain ending, new obstacles are beginning thanks to the largest ever cut to SNAP passed earlier this year in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA or H.R.1). For 114,000 Kentuckians, those cuts begin this month in the form of eligibility changes and paperwork requirements, and the entire program will soon be at risk of cuts in how H.R. 1 shifts funding down to states.”
For updates, Kentuckians can visit the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) website or their Self-Service Portal (SSP) account.
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