ILLINOIS (RFD) — The payment of SNAP benefits was pushed up for everyone in Feburary because of the government shutdown. Coming in March the payments might be on time for some and a little early for others says DHS’s Meghan Powers.

SNAP payments are generally made throughout the month so some folks will see them a sooner than normal. DHS hopes that getting the benefits out a little ahead of schedule can ease any strain on budgets and purchases for those that had to stretch the dollars during the shutdown.