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Federal rules usually require the state to mail written notice at least 10 days before it cuts or stops SNAP benefits during your certification period. A few situations let the state skip that notice, like a household move or a policy change. Check your mail and online account, then call your SNAP office to find the reason.
What happened
You expected your SNAP card to load. It did not. Or your balance dropped and you cannot find a letter that explains why. Under federal rules, a state usually must send written notice first. This notice comes before your SNAP benefits are cut or stopped mid-certification. That notice may have gone to an old address. It may sit in an online account you do not check. Or your case may match one of a few situations where the state does not have to send it at all.
What usually applies
Federal rules generally require the state to mail this notice first. It is called a Notice of Adverse Action. The state must send it at least 10 days before your benefits change. The notice must explain the change and the reason. It must also list your right to ask for a fair hearing and a SNAP office phone number. A few situations let the state skip this notice. One example is a household that moved away. Another is a large policy change that affects many cases at once. If you ask for a fair hearing in time, your benefits usually keep going at the same level while you wait. You generally have 90 days from the state's action to request that hearing. This is true even if you cannot find the original notice.
“Prior to any action to reduce or terminate a household's benefits within the certification period, the State agency shall, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, provide the household timely and adequate advance notice before the adverse action is taken.”
“The notice of adverse action shall be considered timely if the advance notice period conforms to that period of time defined by the State agency as an adequate notice period for its public assistance caseload, provided that the period includes at least 10 days from the date the notice is mailed to the date upon which the action becomes effective.”
“The notice of adverse action shall be considered adequate if it explains in easily understandable language: The proposed action; the reason for the proposed action; the household's right to request a fair hearing; the telephone number of the SNAP office (toll-free number or a number where collect calls will be accepted for households outside the local calling area) and, if possible, the name of the person to contact for additional information; the availability of continued benefits;”
“The State agency determines, based on reliable information, that the household has moved from the project area.”
“If a household requests a fair hearing within the period provided by the notice of adverse action, as set forth in § 273.13, and its certification period has not expired, the household's participation in the program shall be continued on the basis authorized immediately prior to the notice of adverse action, unless the household specifically waives continuation of benefits.”
“A household shall be allowed to request a hearing on any action by the State agency or loss of benefits which occurred in the prior 90 days.”
What to do
- 1
Check your mail, portal, and EBT balance
Look for a letter, an online account message, or a text you may have missed. Confirm your current benefit amount and any reason listed for the change.
- 2
Ask if the 10 day notice was sent
States usually mail this notice first. It must go out at least 10 days before your benefits are cut. This applies in the middle of your certification period. Call your SNAP office. Ask when they sent it. Ask what address they used.
- 3
Ask whether your case fits an exception
A few situations let the state skip this notice. One example is a household move. Another is a large policy change. Ask your caseworker which one applies to you.
- 4
Request a fair hearing within 90 days
If you disagree with the change, ask for a fair hearing. Asking within the time on your notice can keep your benefits flowing while you wait for a decision.
Does your household need food right now? Call 211 or a local food bank while you sort this out. Legal aid offices and SNAP outreach groups can help. They can help you request records, find your notice, or prepare a fair hearing request. Is your 90 day deadline getting close? Can you not reach your SNAP office? If so, contact legal aid or 211 right away.
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Sources
- Code of Federal Regulations (govinfo.gov / U.S. Government Publishing Office), 7 CFR 273.13(a)Retrieved 2026-07-16
- Code of Federal Regulations (govinfo.gov / U.S. Government Publishing Office), 7 CFR 273.13(a)(1)Retrieved 2026-07-16
- Code of Federal Regulations (govinfo.gov / U.S. Government Publishing Office), 7 CFR 273.13(a)(2)Retrieved 2026-07-16
- Code of Federal Regulations (govinfo.gov / U.S. Government Publishing Office), 7 CFR 273.13(b)(3)Retrieved 2026-07-16
- Code of Federal Regulations (govinfo.gov / U.S. Government Publishing Office), 7 CFR 273.15(k)(1)Retrieved 2026-07-16
- Code of Federal Regulations (govinfo.gov / U.S. Government Publishing Office), 7 CFR 273.15(g)Retrieved 2026-07-16
Last reviewed 2026-07-16