CT families receiving SNAP benefits could lose nearly $200 monthly on average, a bigger hit than families would feel in any other state.

Yes, Connecticut officials said that EBT cards will indeed continue to work during the government shutdown, even in November when no new SNAP funds will be issued. The USDA confirmed this in a statement sent to all SNAP state agencies.

With a federal government shutdown likely to expand into November, hundreds of thousands of people in Connecticut will not receive November SNAP benefits.

Financial strain could be down the line for those accepting SNAP dollars, as a pause in benefits starts next month. Currently, around 360,000 people in Connecticut use SNAP benefits, according to the state’s Department of Social Services.

If November begins and SNAP payments don't arrive, residents can seek relief at their local food banks, which they can identify through the state's 211 system. Connecticut Foodshare, which operates pantries across the state, has secured additional funding and additional food in preparation for the coming spike in demand, Jakubowski said.

Groups like Connecticut Voices for Children and Connecticut Social Services are encouraging SNAP recipients to spend their benefits before Nov. 1.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Connecticut receive SNAP benefits each month, according to the state’s Department of Social Services (DSS). These benefits cost the federal government $72 million a year,