SNAP Payments Expected to End for Tens of Millions Amid Continuing Federal Shutdown
USDA officials declared this past weekend that monthly food benefits under one of the country’s largest social assistance programs won't be issued during the coming month because of the continuing federal closure.
Impasse Persists For Nearly Four Weeks
The federal closure had reached nearly a month as officials revealed the news, coming after appeals by more than two hundred Congressional Democrats pushing the department to access contingency funds to fund November's food assistance.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA stated. “Now, no payments will be distributed” on 1 November.
Millions Affected
More than 41 million individuals rely on these monthly payments, as reported by federal data. Various areas, such as one southwestern state, use of SNAP affects one-fifth of the population.
Documents reviewed by a major news agency showed that the department decided against using contingency funding for the upcoming payments.
Legislative Deadlock
Congressional leaders are still at odds over how to finance and restart government operations.
A statement from the head of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities indicated that the White House had chances to act sooner to ensure continuous assistance.
“They had the ability and responsibility made moves earlier to make arrangements to access these resources,” the statement continued. “Rather, officials could opt out for potential political benefit” while GOP lawmakers attempt to pressure Senate Democrats to approve a funding package that would reopen government operations.
Local Responses
Executives in two affected states activated emergency protocols in recent days to allocate funds to combat potential hunger expecting food benefits expiring in November.
