Food Benefits Scheduled to Expire for Over 40 Million Amid Ongoing Federal Shutdown
Federal agriculture authorities declared this past weekend that SNAP funds from a major federal welfare initiatives will not be distributed in November amid the persistent federal closure.
Shutdown Extends Through Its Third Week
The government shutdown was in nearly a month at the time of the statement, coming after demands from hundreds of House Democrats urging the USDA to access contingency funds to cover November's food assistance.
“The reality is, the well has run dry,” officials announced. “At this time, no payments will be distributed” on 1 November.
Millions Affected
More than 41 million individuals depend on these monthly payments, per federal data. In certain states, including one southwestern state, reliance on SNAP reaches one-fifth of the population.
A memo obtained by Reuters revealed that USDA officials chose not to tap reserve funds for the upcoming payments.
Political Stalemate
Republicans and Democrats are still at odds about the way to support and resume the federal government.
Comments by the head of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggested that federal leadership had chances to take earlier action to avoid interruption in payments.
“Officials were able and expected to made moves earlier to get ready to access these resources,” the statement continued. “Conversely, officials could opt out for potential political benefit” as conservative leaders work to push upper chamber Democrats to approve a spending bill that would reopen federal functions.
Local Responses
State leaders from two affected states declared states of emergency this week to allocate funds to combat potential hunger preparing for SNAP benefits not being issued during the upcoming period.