SNAP Program Changes 2025: Benefit suspension and new requirements for EBT businesses

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the use of EBT cards are currently undergoing a transformation process, driven by new regulations and recently approved legislative changes.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that, as of November 1, 2025, the issuance of federal SNAP benefits will be suspended due to the exhaustion of funds allocated for the program’s operation. This measure directly impacts authorized merchants who accept EBT card payments.

Regarding applications already submitted by businesses seeking to become authorized SNAP retailers, only those submitted during September 2025 will be considered. Applications submitted from October 2025 onward will remain suspended, and their continuation will depend directly on the Federal Government.

In light of this situation, we recommend that all our clients who are authorized providers take the following actions:

• Regularly review the official USDA updates to stay informed about the changes that may affect your business. Visit here: SNAP Program.

• Plan and assess how these adjustments could impact your sales, and implement strategies that help maintain your business stability.

• Train your staff on the updated processes related to EBT transactions so they can properly inform customers about benefit availability changes and prevent confusion.

  
  

Thank you for trusting Universum with your business needs. Your satisfaction is our priority. For support or requests, don't hesitate to reach out to our team at 888-507-6614 — we're always happy to assist.

Sincerely,

Universum Team