SNAP Alert



SNAP Alert

State of Emergency

First State Food Relief Funds

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has declared a State of Emergency to safeguard food benefits for Delawareans in November. With SNAP benefits halted by the federal government beginning November 1, the governor has tasked the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to stand up the First State Food Relief Funds program to protect Delawareans’ access to food in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.



Keep scrolling for the full updated list of SNAP work requirement exemptions effective Nov. 1, 2025.

What Delaware’s State of Emergency means:

  • First State Food Relief Funds will be administered by DHSS and funded for November on a weekly basis. These are not SNAP food benefits, which can only be provided by the federal government. These are time-limited funds provided by the State of Delaware.
  • The state will also provide additional resources to help the Food Bank of Delaware handle increased need due to the federal shutdown.

How will Delawareans get their November food benefits?

  • Those who would normally receive SNAP food benefits will begin to see First State Food Relief Funds loaded to their EBT cards as early as Friday, Nov. 7 (but may take longer to appear on account balances).
  • Funds will be deposited to EBT accounts on a week-by-week, as-needed basis, currently limited to the month of November.
    • IMPORTANT:
    • EBT cardholders will receive 25% of their normal monthly SNAP amount each week in November until federal funds are available. Cardholders will not see the full month’s amount loaded at one time!
    • Cardholders will not receive all four deposits from the state in November if the shutdown ends mid-month and federal funds become available).
    • Check your EBT balance through the ConnectEBT mobile app, www.ConnectEBT.com or call 1-800-526-9099.

SNAP Frequently Asked Questions – Delaware

How important is SNAP to Delaware?
• 119,000* Delawareans rely on SNAP food benefits – one in 9 Delawareans • 60,000 Delaware households Of these Delaware families, more than:** • 66% of SNAP participants are in families with children • 36% are in families with members who are older adults or have disabilities *September 2025 **FY2024
What if I need additional food assistance during the federal shutdown?
Delaware is a state of neighbors who care about one another. If you need help stretching your food budget until SNAP benefits restart, these resources may be able to help: Delaware 211 Food Assistance | Delaware 211   • Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-560-3372   • Text your ZIP code to 898-211 Food Bank of Delaware Food Bank of Delaware Community Food Pantries   • New Castle County: (302) 292-1305   • Kent and Sussex Counties: (302) 424-3301 Delaware State Service Center Food Pantries   • Delaware State Service Center Locations
What does it mean for federal SNAP benefits to be “on hold”?
Each month, the federal government releases approved funds to states for SNAP food benefits. Right now, the federal government is shut down and no funds are being sent to the states. This means Delaware will not receive the money, as scheduled, to issue more than $20 million in monthly SNAP food benefits to approximately 60,000 Delaware households currently enrolled in the SNAP food assistance program. Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has declared a State of Emergency to safeguard food benefits for Delawareans in November. With SNAP benefits halted by the federal government beginning November 1, the governor has tasked the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to stand up the First State Food Relief Funds program to protect Delawareans’ access to food in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
When will I get my November SNAP benefits?
Unfortunately, no one knows when funds will be available for federal SNAP benefits. First, the federal government shutdown must end with Congress appropriating (approving) funds for SNAP food benefits. We do not know how long the shutdown will last or how long it will take the federal government to issue funds to Delaware for SNAP once the government reopens. If you are a Delaware EBT cardholder, through the Delaware Food Benefit Relief Funds project, you will receive 25% of your normal monthly SNAP amount each week in November until federal funds are available. Important: If you normally receive SNAP food benefits, you will begin to see First State Food Relief Funds loaded to your EBT cards as early as Friday, Nov. 7 (it may take longer for funds to appear on your account balance).   • Funds will be deposited to your EBT account on a week-by-week, as-needed basis, currently limited to the month of November.   • You will not see the full month’s amount loaded at one time!   • You will not receive all four deposits from the state in November if the shutdown ends mid-month and federal funds become available. Check your EBT balance on the ConnectEBT mobile app, www.ConnectEBT.com or call 1-800-526-9099.
Should I keep my EBT card?
Yes, keep your EBT card. You may continue to use any available federal SNAP food benefits on your EBT card. Your Delaware Food Benefits Relief Fund benefits will be added to your EBT account and you will use the same card to purchase food with these state funds. Food benefits do not expire unless the EBT card is inactive for 274 days (approximately 9 months). Even if a case closes, households should keep their EBT cards in case benefits are delayed.
What if I need to apply for or renew my SNAP benefits? Are you still accepting applications?
Yes, you may continue to apply for and renew food benefits and report changes through Delaware ASSIST and at your local State Service Center. You may request a Fair Hearing during the federal government shutdown; however, hearings will not be granted for issues related to the non-issuance of November benefits caused by the shutdown. If a Fair Hearing involves a benefit restoration, there may also be delays in issuing any restored benefits until federal funding is available.
What can I do to prepare?
We understand this will be very difficult for many families. You are encouraged to budget available food benefits carefully so food purchases last as long as possible. Consider buying non-perishable, shelf-stable and frozen foods to help stretch your grocery budget through the federal shutdown.
Where can I learn more about food benefits during the federal government shutdown?
Follow DHSS on social media and check back on this page frequently for updates.   Facebook
How can I help?
If you are able, please donate generously to the Food Bank of Delaware, your local food pantry, soup kitchen or place of worship to make sure all Delaware families have healthy meals. Donate: Food Bank of Delaware


SNAP Benefits Alert Banner

Exemptions to SNAP work requirements for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) change November 1, 2025.


Important news about SNAP food benefits and work requirements for Delawareans who

  • Currently receive food benefits.
  • Are 18-54 years old.
  • Do not have children under 18 living with you.
  • Are able to work.
If these four things apply to you, you are considered by the United States Federal Government to be an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) and you are now required to meet new SNAP work requirements.

Starting November 1, 2025:

  • The upper age limit for SNAP work exemptions changes from 55 to 65. This means if you are between the ages of 55 and 64, you are no longer exempt from SNAP work requirements based on age alone.
  • The exemption based on the age of a child living with you changes from 18 to 14. This means if you have a child living with you who is 14 or older, you are no longer exempt from SNAP work requirements based on the child’s age alone.
  • The exemption from SNAP work requirements for those who are homeless ends November 1, 2025.
  • The exemption from SNAP work requirements for those who are veterans ends November 1, 2025.
  • The exemption for those who were in foster care on their 18th birthday ends November 1, 2025. This means you are no longer exempt until age 24.

SNAP Benefits Alert Banner

To keep getting SNAP food benefits in Delaware, you must be able to show you meet work requirements of the federal government. This means you must spend at least 80 hours every month working and/or participating in the SNAP Employment and Training Program.

Individuals will get three months of SNAP food benefits without complying. To continue receiving your SNAP benefits after the three months, you must either comply with the work requirements or report an approved exemption.

These new rules are part of the federal budget bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in July 2025. If you cannot prove that you meet the new work requirements, you risk losing your SNAP benefits.

Delaware officials cannot change the rules of this federal law, but we are here to help you learn what you need to do to keep getting your SNAP food benefits.



If you are required to follow the SNAP work requirements, the Delaware Division of Social Services will notify you by mail.

Under the federal government’s SNAP work requirements, you are considered an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) if you:

  • Currently get SNAP food benefits.
  • Are 18-54 years old.
  • Do not have children under 18 living with you, and
  • Are physically and mentally able to work.

If you cannot prove that you meet the new work requirements, or you do not have an approved exemption you risk losing your SNAP benefits starting January 1, 2026.

If you believe you are unable to work due to a disability, contact your Delaware Division of Social Services case manager to fill out a Medical Exemption Form.

If you live in Delaware and currently get SNAP food benefits, and you fall under the new work requirements for Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD), you must be able to prove that you spend at least 80 hours working and/or participating in the SNAP Employment and Training Program each month.

If you do not meet these new federal work requirements, you risk losing your SNAP food benefits starting January 1, 2026.

You may be exempt for the SNAP work requirements if you can say yes to at least one of these exemptions:

  • You are younger than age 18.
  • You are age 55 or older. (Note: The federal government will change this to 65 on 11/1/2025)
  • You are unable to work because of a physical or mental health reason.
  • You are pregnant.
  • You are homeless. (Note: The federal government will end this exemption on 10/31/2025)
  • You are a veteran. (Note: The federal government will end this exemption on 10/31/2025)
  • You are age 24 or younger and were in foster care on your 18th birthday. (Note: The federal government will end this exemption on 10/31/2025)
  • You are living with someone in your house who is younger than age 18. (Note: The federal government will change this exemption from 18 to 14 on 11/1/2025)
  • You are taking care of a child younger than age 6 or someone who needs help caring for themself.
  • You are already working at least 30 hours a week.
  • You are already earning $217.50 or more per week in wages.
  • You are receiving unemployment benefits, or you applied for unemployment benefits.
  • You are going to school, college, or a training program at least half time.
  • You are meeting the work rules for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
  • You are participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program.

If you said yes to at least one of these exemptions, talk to your case manager or call 1-866-843-7212. If your exemption is approved, you will continue to receive your SNAP food benefits.

Yes. It is your responsibility to contact your case manager to prove you are meeting the SNAP work requirements.

If your work hours drop below 80 hours a month (20 hours per week), you must let your case manager know within 10 days. You may also call 1-866-843-7212.

If you need help finding and keeping a job, the Delaware Division of Social Services SNAP Employment and Training program can help you learn work skills, find a job, or choose an education or job training program. Participating in this program also counts toward the SNAP work requirements so you continue to get SNAP food benefits. To learn more and sign up, call Career Team at 302-654-4949.

It is your responsibility to contact your case manager to prove you are meeting the SNAP work requirements.

It is also very important to keep your contact information up-to-date with the Delaware Division of Social Services so we can reach you with any new information about your SNAP food benefits. Talk with your case manager, visit a Delaware State Service Center, or call 1-866-843-7212 to let us know if your contact information changes, or if your health or living situation changes and may qualify you for an exemption.

To learn more about the SNAP work requirements and what it means for your SNAP food benefits, talk with your case manager, visit a Delaware State Service Center, or call 1-866-843-7212.

We do expect more changes to the work requirements for SNAP food benefits beginning November 1st, 2025:

  • The upper age limit changes from 55 to 65.
  • Living in a SNAP household with a child under 18 changes to 14.
  • Exceptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and those who are 24 and younger who were in foster care on their 18th birthday will end.
  • New exceptions will be added for “an Indian”, “Urban Indian”, and “California Indian” as defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.