Some Mainers woke up to money on their EBT cards Monday after Gov. Janet Mills directed the state health department to distribute Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

It comes after a group of lawmakers, including Maine Independent Senator Angus King and Republican Senator Susan Collins voted to advance a spending package that could end the 40-day-long government shutdown.

Uncertainty over whether or not SNAP benefits would be issued for the month of November put pressure on food pantries , small businesses and faith organizations to keep their communities fed.

“Thanks to the quick action of my administration, full benefits to eligible SNAP beneficiaries in Maine began flowing this morning — a move firmly supported by the courts,” Gov. Janet Mills said in a

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