The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services announced November will see partial SNAP benefits due to federal recalculations, impacting 28,000 homes.
North Dakota SNAP Benefits Face Partial Restoration in November
A mother scrolling her EBT app in a south Bismarck parking lot summed up November in a glance: less money than expected, more meals to plan. That scene will be familiar across the Capital City as North Dakota recalculates Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this month.
According to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), around 28,000 households had their November SNAP amounts adjusted after federal guidance prompted a recalculation. The state says many households will receive roughly 65% of their typical monthly benefit, while some will see no November benefit at all based on eligibility factors and the federal review HHS.
HHS said the recalculation affects benefits issued for November only. Households can check their updated amounts through the state’s SNAP portal or their EBT balance, and are encouraged to contact their local Human Service Zone if they believe their case information needs to be updated HHS.
Impact on Households
In Bismarck and Mandan, a tighter November budget means stretching staples, leaning on school meals, and reworking weekend grocery trips. Families that typically rely on a full allotment say they’re prioritizing shelf-stable items and switching brands to make dollars last through Thanksgiving week—changes that can add stress and time to already busy schedules.
Local food assistance groups expect the squeeze to show up at their doors. Ministry on the Margins in Bismarck and The Salvation Army’s pantry say they generally see foot traffic rise when SNAP benefits drop, a pattern echoed by the Great Plains Food Bank’s network statewide in recent months Great Plains Food Bank. Pantry leaders also point out that higher grocery and fuel costs make small benefit changes more painful.
For households figuring out immediate next steps, school meal programs can help stabilize the month’s food budget. Bismarck Public Schools posts eligibility and application details for free and reduced-price meals; families can check district resources or contact their school office for up-to-date guidance. When in doubt, dialing 2-1-1 connects residents to nearby food distributions and hot meal sites.
Quick help for Bismarck-Mandan residents:
Check or update your case: Use HHS’s SNAP page for links to apply, report changes, and find contacts HHS SNAP and local Human Service Zones HHS Zones.
Food boxes and meals: Ministry on the Margins website and The Salvation Army Bismarck website.
Resource navigation: Call 2-1-1 or search the statewide database for food and housing help.
Causes and Context
HHS said the November changes stem from a federal recalculation, which can occur when states receive updated guidance or data that requires re-running benefit amounts for a given month HHS. While SNAP typically updates each October with annual cost-of-living adjustments, mid-season recalculations may affect some households differently depending on reported income, household size, or other eligibility factors.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, notes that monthly allotments are tied to the Thrifty Food Plan and household circumstances. People may see a $0 month if updated information—such as changes in income or deductions—reduces their calculated benefit below the minimum threshold, according to federal guidance USDA FNS. Case-specific questions are best handled by local HHS staff, who can review documentation and explain determinations.
HHS has not publicly detailed the precise federal trigger for North Dakota’s November recalculation beyond characterizing the result as a partial restoration for many households. We’ve asked for clarification on how many Burleigh and Morton County cases received reduced or $0 benefits and will update when that breakdown is available.
Community and Economic Impact
When SNAP tightens, Bismarck’s small retailers and grocers tend to feel it first in slower mid-month sales and more price-sensitive shopping baskets, local merchants say anecdotally. Economists often describe SNAP as a stabilizer for local economies because benefits are typically spent quickly and close to home; reductions can ripple through checkout lines in neighborhoods with higher reliance on food assistance.
Food banks are a frontline barometer. The Great Plains Food Bank, which supplies partner pantries statewide, has reported sustained demand pressures this year, attributing the strain to elevated food costs and lingering household budget gaps Great Plains Food Bank. In Burleigh and Morton counties, that often translates into fuller pantry lines during weeks when benefits run thin.
Service providers caution that transportation costs and limited pantry hours can compound the challenge for working families and seniors. Community groups encourage residents to pair resources—school meals, senior commodity boxes, and pantry visits—to bridge a one-month shortfall without skipping meals or medications.
Responses and Future Outlook
HHS says it is communicating updates through local Human Service Zones and the SNAP portal and encourages households to verify that all recent income or household changes have been reported to ensure accurate benefits HHS. Advocates are urging state leaders to bolster support for food banks and pantries if SNAP volatility continues this winter, a step North Dakota has taken in past years through grants and charitable partnerships.
Lawmakers representing Burleigh and Morton counties have signaled interest in clarity from HHS on how many local households were affected and whether further adjustments are likely. We’ve requested comment from legislative leaders on any near-term proposals to support food assistance providers in the Bismarck-Mandan area and will update this story with their responses.
If you received a lower or $0 benefit in November:
Confirm your case details are current (income, deductions, household size).
Contact your Human Service Zone for a case review or to file an appeal if needed HHS Zones.
Use 2-1-1 to locate immediate food resources while your case is reviewed.
What to Watch
HHS says December SNAP amounts will follow standard processing unless additional federal guidance requires changes. We’re watching for an HHS breakdown of impacts by county and any short-term support for Bismarck-area food providers. Households should monitor the SNAP portal and EBT balances for updates and report changes promptly.
