Official Site of The State of New Jersey
SNAP Support Briefing: Volume 2
Governor Murphy Announces Deployment of National Guard to Support Food Banks
As New Jersey families continue to go without their SNAP benefits, Governor Phil Murphy today announced that members of the New Jersey National Guard have been deployed to support Emergency Food Organizations (EFOs) and New Jerseyans in need.
“The Trump Administration’s failure to fund SNAP benefits has left hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents feeling scared and unsure of where their next meal will come from. New Jersey is deploying members of the National Guard to support the state’s whole-of-government response to this unprecedented crisis and offer aid to our food banks at a time of heightened need,” said Governor Murphy. “Today, members of the Air National Guard are mobilizing to deliver refrigerated storage containers to the Community Foodbank of New Jersey and Fulfill, enhancing the cold storage capacity at critical hubs for our emergency feeding organizations.”
"When our neighbors are in need, the New Jersey National Guard stands ready to serve," said Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. "Our Soldiers and Airmen are proud to work with state and local partners in ensuring families continue to have access to essential support."
At the request of the Community Food Bank of NJ and of Fulfill, the State is deploying four refrigerated storage containers today from the State’s strategic stockpile. Three refrigerated storage containers have been delivered to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside, and one refrigerated storage container has been delivered to Fulfill in Neptune. As the EFOs adjust their inventories to address this unprecedented moment, this cold storage capacity will assist in making fresh foods available to New Jersey families.
Statement by Attorney General Platkin on Federal Government Partially Releasing SNAP Funds
"After two federal courts ruled that the Trump Administration cannot refuse to fund SNAP benefits, the federal government has now confirmed it will release contingency funds that cover 50% of SNAP benefits for November. While this is good progress, it is not enough, especially as further action is needed to make these benefits available to families and at a time when food insecurity is already high and in a month when families are gathering at the Thanksgiving table. Over 800,000 New Jerseyans rely on SNAP-including over half a million children, elderly residents, and residents with disabilities. We are working with Governor Murphy and our state agencies to do everything in the State's power to ensure New Jerseyans do not go hungry. For information about food assistance, please visit https://nj211.org/njsnap."
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NJEDA Provides $900k to Support Food Banks Across NJ Amid SNAP Benefits Crisis
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced today it is providing $900,000 in funding to support the State’s six Emergency Feeding Organizations as they face increased demand due to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits crisis caused by the ongoing government shutdown. Approximately 813,000 New Jerseyans, including 340,000 children, rely on SNAP benefits.
The funding comes at a critical time when all 568 school districts close on Thursday and Friday for the annual New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) Conference. 60 school districts are closed the entire week and nearly 150 more are closed Tuesday and/or Wednesday as well. While the shutdown does not affect school meals, such as breakfast and lunch, like it does SNAP benefits, children only receive those meals if schools are open. The school closures, compounded with the SNAP benefits crisis, put hundreds of thousands of children at risk of food insecurity. More than 533,000 children are enrolled in the free or reduced school meals program across the state.
“Across New Jersey, hundreds of thousands of families are grappling with the fallout of the Trump Administration’s unprecedented failure to fully and consistently fund SNAP during the federal government shutdown. In some cases, school breakfast and lunch may be the only meals of the day for a child facing food insecurity. As SNAP benefits remain suspended and schools across the state close this week, families will be turning to food banks for help,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This infusion of funding from the NJEDA will help food banks remain open and stocked. No one should go hungry in New Jersey.”
“The SNAP benefits crisis coupled with school closures this week presents an all-hands-on deck situation. As a member of the Governor’s Task Force on the Federal Suspension of SNAP Benefits, the NJEDA is proud to join the Administration’s whole-of-government approach to support our food banks and facilitate the access of families to food,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Government cannot face this challenge alone and I urge the private sector and philanthropic entities to join our efforts to ensure no child goes hungry.”
“This support comes at a critical moment as households face the harmful loss of November SNAP benefits compounded by school closures where many children would normally receive breakfast and lunch. It is inhumane and simply unacceptable that in the United States of America our children are going hungry and seniors and those with disabilities don’t know where their next meal may come from,” said NJ Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “New Jersey’s food banks and their community partners are working diligently to provide extra food to families as demand is surging statewide, but they need additional financial support. Anyone who is able to donate time or resources in this moment of need are encouraged to visit their community food bank website.”
AG Platkin, Division of Consumer Affairs Warn New Jerseyans to Beware of Potential Scams Targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Recipients Amid Federal Government Shutdown
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs today urged New Jerseyans to beware of potential scams targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients facing fear and uncertainty amid the government shutdown.
Scammers impersonating SNAP representatives or other agencies may call or text asking for EBT card numbers and PINs in order to unblock or unlock EBT cards, verify SNAP eligibility, or help recipients obtain SNAP benefits or financial assistance during the government shutdown. They may ask for Social Security numbers and bank account information, and some may require a fee for their assistance. These are all forms of scams aimed at stealing SNAP benefits or personal information. No government agency or SNAP representative will contact recipients unsolicited or ask for private information in a phone call or text, and assistance in obtaining SNAP benefits is always free.
“As the more than 800,000 New Jerseyans dependent on SNAP benefits navigate the current food assistance crisis, we are doing all that we can to protect them from bad actors seeking to access their confidential information or divert their benefits,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “We encourage all SNAP recipients to recognize potential scams and only use the information and assistance resources supported by trusted organizations, starting with https://nj211.org/njsnap.”
“While many people are looking for ways to help individuals fearful of losing the ability to put food on the table amid the government shutdown, scammers are finding ways to exploit the situation for their own financial gain,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We’re raising public awareness of these scams to help New Jersey residents avoid falling victim.”
“Scammers know that people are most vulnerable during times of fear and uncertainty,” said Elizabeth M. Harris, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “We’re urging SNAP recipients in New Jersey to be on the lookout for these scams and providing them with commonsense tips to protect themselves.”
November 2025 SNAP Benefits Information
Important Information for SNAP Recipients About Your November 2025 Benefits:
- New Jersey was notified by the federal government that if the shutdown continues, November 2025 SNAP benefits will not be available on November 1.
- SNAP benefits loaded on your Families First EBT card prior to October 31, 2025 will be available for you to use after November 1, 2025.
- It is recommended that SNAP food assistance recipients check their account at NJFamiliesFirst.com or by calling (800) 997-3333 before going to the grocery store after November 1. If there are SNAP benefits in your NJ FamiliesFirst account, they are available for you to use.
- Please note, you may receive eligibility notices and your MyNJHelps case summary may show that you are eligible for November benefits. Even though you may receive an eligibility notice and the benefits show in your case summary, if the federal shutdown continues, November 2025 SNAP benefits will not be posted to your Families First EBT card on time.
- Because November SNAP benefits are not available as a result of a federal shutdown, fair hearings will not be scheduled for this issue.
- SNAP applications and recertifications will be processed. Continue to submit requested information to ensure you get your benefits when federal SNAP funding becomes available.
- Work First New Jersey (WFNJ), Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and Child Support are not impacted at this time.