The Trump administration said in a court filing that it would use a reserve to cover "50% of eligible households’ current allotments."

While the USDA's notice focuses on maintaining equal treatment among shoppers, state-level changes to SNAP are also on the horizon. Texas and several other states are preparing to restrict purchases of certain "junk food" and soft drinks with SNAP benefits beginning in 2026.

After SNAP benefits were halted Saturday, the USDA reminded retailers they must comply with the Equal Treatment Rule, which bars special food discounts for SNAP/EBT customers.

SNAP recipients will receive at most 65% of benefits in November, rather than 50%, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in a guidance to states Nov. 5. A family of four will receive at most $646 for the month, according to the new guidance.

East Texans are eligible for SNAP benefits, according to Tim Butler, the food bank’s chief impact officer. He said half of those people are children.

USDA reminds Texas retailers not to offer special discounts to SNAP customers as the federal government moves to partially restore benefits for thousands of families

The calls to the Republican governor came as the food stamp program was set to run out of funding amid the government shutdown.