Kansas Assures No Federal Sanctions for Full November SNAP Benefits Payment

By Karen Gutierrez, Univision
Topeka, Kansas — November 19, 2025

Kansas has stated that it will not face federal sanctions for having paid the full benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November. This resolve comes amid a backdrop of uncertainty and contradicting orders issued during the federal government shutdown, which jeopardized food assistance for 180,000 residents in the state.

On November 7, Kansas issued full SNAP payments, following a week of shifting instructions arising from legal challenges. Initially, states were directed to pay only 50% of the November benefits; however, due to an incorrect calculation, that figure was later raised to 66%. Ultimately, based on a court ruling and the USDA’s initial guidance, the state proceeded to distribute the complete amount to families.

“Given the expectation that the USDA would fully fund SNAP with federal resources,” explained Erin La Row, spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Children and Families, in an email, the state chose to support households without reducing their benefits.

An Unexpected Turn from the USDA

However, on November 8, just a day later, the USDA revised its guidance again. In a memo directed to states, it asserted that those who had disbursed full November benefits had acted “unauthorized” and must immediately reverse their actions.

The memo warned that failure to comply could result in the USDA withdrawing its participation in administrative costs and holding states accountable for any overpayments.

La Row clarified that Kansas issued the payments on November 7, prior to the USDA’s order for states to “undo” the action, which she indicated was crucial to the state’s position.

A New Memo Clears the Way

Six days later, tensions eased. A memo issued on November 13 affirmed that states would be allowed to process complete payments for November after the government shutdown ended.

The document contained a crucial note for Kansas:
“FNS will not pursue further penalties… due to extraordinary circumstances,” La Row cited, referring to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.

Kansas was not alone in distributing full payments on November 7; New York, Wisconsin, and Oregon also did so. Nonetheless, Kansas officials express confidence that the USDA’s clarification guarantees no repercussions for states that acted before the November 8 directive.

A Support Network Under Pressure

Even prior to the delays in SNAP payments, food pantries in the state were feeling the strain from rising demand. Increased prices and the ongoing economic impact of the federal shutdown directly affected thousands of families.

In response to this need, various philanthropic organizations in the state contributed over $381,000 to strengthen food banks and community pantries. Among them, the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, Kansas Health Foundation, Sunflower Foundation, and REACH Healthcare Foundation collaborated to distribute resources before the year-end.

“Kansans are struggling to put food on their tables right now, and it is important to provide assistance where we can in the short term,” stated David Jordan, president and CEO of the Health Fund, in a declaration.

Changes on the Horizon for SNAP

While the immediate issue has been resolved without sanctions, the SNAP program in Kansas and nationwide is undergoing review. The “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” encompasses changes that could impact program administration in states.

A USDA memo released in September outlines proposed modifications, including:

• New rules linking reimbursement of administrative costs to the state error rate.
• Adjustments to work requirements for certain adults.

These changes, combined with the ramifications of the recent government shutdown, could reshape the management of the program in the coming months.

For now, Kansas is focused on ensuring that families continue to receive food assistance without interruption, reassured that the decisions made during this uncertain period will not lead to federal sanctions.