The U.S. Department of Agriculture , in a memo late Saturday evening, threatened to enact financial penalties on states that issued full monthly SNAP benefits for November if they don't "undo" those f ood stamp payments.

The late-night directive from the Trump administration adds to the chaos surrounding the anti-hunger program that serves more than 42 million Americans.

The memo, signed by Patrick Penn, Deputy Under Secretary of the USDA's Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, warned states that the administration had not cleared full SNAP benefit payments for November.

"To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized," the memo said.

State program administrators were directed to distribute 65% partial payments of SNAP benefits

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