SNAP Payments Set to Cease for Over 40 Million During Prolonged US Government Shutdown
The United States Department of Agriculture declared recently that SNAP funds under one of the country’s largest support systems are not going out during the coming month due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Shutdown Extends Through Its Third Week
The federal closure lasted three and a half weeks when the announcement was made, in response to appeals by more than two hundred House Democrats asking agriculture officials to access reserve accounts to cover November's food assistance.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the department confirmed. “Currently, assistance will not be provided” on 1 November.
Widespread Impact
Tens of millions of people depend on the regular assistance, per federal data. In certain states, including New Mexico, dependence on SNAP reaches a significant portion of citizens.
Internal communications seen by journalists showed that federal authorities decided against using contingency funding for November food benefits.
Political Stalemate
Congressional leaders are still at odds about the way to finance and restart government operations.
A statement from the director at a budget research center noted that the administration could have acted to take earlier action to avoid interruption in payments.
“They had the ability and responsibility made moves earlier to be prepared to utilize available money,” the statement continued. “Instead, officials could opt out to secure political leverage” as Republicans seek to push upper chamber Democrats to approve a spending bill to restart government operations.
States Prepare
State leaders from two affected states issued emergency declarations recently to allocate funds to combat potential hunger in anticipation of nutrition assistance payments stopping in November.
