A store displays a sign accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases for groceries on October 30, 2025 in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

When Trena Picou heard that the US Department of Agriculture agreed last week to issue partial food stamp benefits for November to comply with a federal court order , she was hopeful that she’d get around half of her usual $263 allotment. The funds would help buy meat, potatoes, beans and rice for the two teen grandsons that she and her husband are raising.

But the Houma, Louisiana, resident only received $64, which just covered a few packs of meat, cereal and milk and nearly brought her to tears.

A few days later, her hopes were raised again when the USDA said it w

See Full Page