Government Shutdown 2025: Do Unused SNAP Benefits Roll Over Each Month?

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If you receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, you may wonder what happens to any unused funds on your EBT card at the end of the month. With rising food costs, a government shutdown and economic uncertainty, understanding how your benefits work is more important than ever.

The good news is that unused SNAP benefits do roll over month to month, allowing you to use them later if needed. However, there are important rules and timelines to keep in mind to avoid losing your benefits due to inactivity.

Here’s everything you need to know about SNAP rollover rules, EBT card usage, the current government shutdown and how to make the most of your food assistance in 2026.

Quick Take: The Government Shutdown vs. SNAP

SNAP is federally funded, but the funds are distributed to each state, which then administers and delegates its own program rules and requirements. Each state will have its own application and approval processes, which can be completed most easily online.

So, what does that mean when there is a government shutdown like the one we are enduring now? Here are some key takeaways:

• The Hill reported that President Trump said he would be withholding SNAP benefits until “Radical Left Democrats open up government.” (Editor’s note: Blaming the shutdown solely on “radical left democrats” is inaccurate and unsubstantiated). Yet, Trump’s administration says SNAP recipients will now get up to 65% of their November benefits.
• This means that tens of millions of Americans will get only partial SNAP payments for this month, and it remains unclear when these reduced benefits would be distributed. The administration said it would not tap into additional funds for full payments in November, the second month of the government shutdown. 
• According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), $4.65 billion from SNAP’s contingency fund will “be obligated to cover 50% of eligible households’ current allotments” for November, according to a sworn statement from a USDA official submitted in federal court.

How Long Do SNAP Benefits Last?

According to the USDA, any unused SNAP funds on your EBT card will automatically roll over to the next month. This means you don’t have to spend your entire balance each month for fear of leaving money on the table, and your benefits will remain available for future use.

However, while benefits roll over monthly, they do not last forever. Federal regulations state that if your EBT card remains inactive for nine months, your benefits may be expunged — permanently removed from your account. Here are some key notes about that:

• Inactivity Period: 274 days (about 9 months)
• Activity Reset: Any purchase, no matter how small, resets the clock
• Advance Notice: States must notify you 30 days before removing benefits

Each month, SNAP benefits are paid out on your EBT card. Some states have their own names for these cards, but they are widely known as EBT or food stamps cards. They are prepaid debit cards that recipients use at any participating grocer or vendor in order to purchase food. Some states allow for the use of EBT cards at farmers’ markets, and in Alaska, they can even be used for fishing equipment to catch your own food.

Some states move benefits to offline storage after three months of inactivity, making them temporarily inaccessible until you contact your local SNAP office.

How To Avoid Losing SNAP Benefits

If you have remaining money on your EBT card at the end of the month, those benefits roll over into the next month. However, you should always keep track of your balance and know the rules in order to keep benefits coming in if you are eligible.

Here are a few final tips to keep your benefits active:

• Use your EBT card at least once every few months.
• Monitor your balance using your state’s EBT portal or mobile app.
• Respond to any notices from your state’s SNAP office.
• Remember that even a small purchase, like a piece of fruit, can prevent your benefits from expiring.

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