ATLANTA — Relief is on the horizon for Georgians awaiting their complete November SNAP benefits, as officials confirm that these will be distributed imminently.

The Georgia Department of Human Services has confirmed receipt of updated guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, prompted by the recent end of the government shutdown.

Officials have stated, “SNAP recipients who have already passed their distribution dates and who received only partial benefits will see the rest of their benefits by Tuesday, November 18. Meanwhile, all other SNAP benefits will be provided in full, according to the standard schedule for the rest of the month.”

This development follows the late-night signing of a bill by President Donald Trump, officially bringing an end to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The decision came after the House approved legislation that the Senate had previously passed.

The shutdown caused a delay in SNAP benefits to Americans across the country. The federal food program serves about 42 million people, about 1 in 8 Americans, in lower-income households, the Associated Press reported.

Georgia DHS officials said SNAP recipients should continue to lock their EBT cards between purchases to prevent unauthorized use.  

“Recipients can lock their cards using the “lock my card everywhere” function via the ConnectEBT app on their Android or Apple device,” officials said. 

Last December, Georgia DHS launched the card lock tool to help combat SNAP benefit theft, allowing SNAP recipients to protect their EBT cards between purchases/

Officials said anyone who has trouble accessing the app can also log in to their account via the ConnectEBT website to lock/unlock their cards and check their balance.