By: Richard L. Smith
Many New Jersey residents were surprised to see new deposits appear on their Family First cards this week.
The payments did not come from a new federal deal, but rather from emergency actions taken by state and county governments to protect families from potential funding delays.
Here is what we were able to find out:
State and Local Response
According to NPR and other verified sources, about nine states nationwide, including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Louisiana, authorized emergency SNAP distributions using state or county resources.
These temporary funds were meant to ensure families did not experience a lapse in benefits while the federal government continues to navigate funding uncertainty.
Governor Phil Murphy’s administration confirmed that the state Department of Human Services worked with counties to post November benefits early.
Similar steps were taken in New York, where Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency to protect food programs and benefits for millions of residents.
Not a Federal Deal
The deposits were not part of a new federal SNAP expansion or a special agreement with Washington. Under current law, SNAP is primarily federally funded, but states can use their own contingency or emergency reserves to issue temporary benefits during federal funding delays.
What Families Should Know
Recipients should check their benefit notices and account history to confirm payment amounts.
These early or supplemental deposits are intended to cover November benefits, not an additional bonus payment.
Officials urge residents to keep monitoring updates from the New Jersey Department of Human Services and county social service offices in case of any future disruptions.
If your Family First card was reloaded yesterday, it’s because New Jersey and other states acted quickly to protect food access, not because of a new federal agreement.