MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) —The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) announced Tuesday that it has finished processing partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for all eligible recipients, with funds scheduled to be added to Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards overnight.
According to DSS, the partial benefit amounts are based on direction from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which issued updated guidance on Nov. 8. The adjustment does not change how each of the state’s roughly 37,000 eligible households’ benefits are calculated under federal rules, meaning benefit amounts will vary between recipients.
When the federal government shutdown concludes and full funding is restored, DSS plans to distribute the remaining portion of November’s benefits in a second payment. Combined, the two payments will equal each household’s normal monthly benefit.
DSS stated that all SNAP cases had to be processed before benefits could be issued, and staff continued working through the Veterans Day holiday to ensure the payments were completed.
SNAP participants are encouraged to check their current balances through the EBT mobile app or online portal for updated information.