The federal government has notified states to change food assistance amounts for November during the ongoing federal government shutdown to 65% of normal benefits − up from earlier guidance reducing benefits by half.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said on Wednesday, Nov. 5, that households would begin receiving partial payments starting Saturday, Nov. 8 in response to the federal government reducing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to about 50% of recipients' payments for November during the shutdown.

In a memo to SNAP state agency directors dated Nov. 5, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture followed up on its previous guidance issued the day before and said maximum allotments are being reduced by 35% instead of 50%.

The U.S. Department of Agricul

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